This Sharps sporting rifle appears to have been period assembled using a Civil War era New Model 1863 action with its pellet primer system on the lock filled in and deactivated, and re-barreled for the .45-70 Government cartridge. This rifle appears to have possibly been converted by Sharps specifically for the western market in the 1870s. Sharps sporting rifles are considered to be one of the classic western firearms and were particularly popular with buffalo hunters. The barrel has a Rocky Mountain blade front sight in a dovetailed base, Lawrence patent rear sight with absent ladder, "Old Reliable" in a boxed border and "SHARPS RIFLE CO. HARTFORD CONN." marked on top ahead of the rear sight, "CALIBRE 45" on top of the breech, "2 1/10" on the left of the breech, "75" on the right of the breech, serial number "C,46340" marked on top of the receiver tang, crossed out number "155308" ahead of "36642" marked on the bottom of the barrel, period receiver tang mounted peep sight, double set triggers, smooth walnut forearm and checkered straight grip stock with smooth iron carbine buttplate. Filled in round iron section on the left of the receiver and filled in oval walnut section on the left wrist of the buttstock where provisions for a sling stud once resided. "MONTANA ARMORY/BOZEMAN, M.T." stamped on the left of the buttstock. Located on Main Street in Bozeman, Montana, retailer Montana Armory was owned by August Gottschalck circa 1884 to 1914.

Very good as period converted and Montana used, retains 20% original blue finish on the factory replacement barrel, 20% strong period refurbished case colors visible on the protected areas, with a pleasing smooth brown and gray patina on the balance, and some scattered light surface freckling. Wood is also very good as re-oiled, with defined edges, scattered light scratches and dents, and a crisp retailer stamp. Mechanically fine. This Montana Armory retailer stamped Sharps sporting rifle offered has a very pleasing frontier patina, and would display well in any antique American arms collection.