Sharps Model 1869 Sporting Rifle (AL9965)

Serial number CL41. Made circa early 1870s. 44-77 caliber with a 26” barrel.  This is a rare model 1869 model that was a transitional from the percussion made guns into the 1874 models. The locks in the 1869 is considerably thicker as the locks were cut from the same die as the percussion models, but were not milled out for the priming system. This is a rare Sporting rifle that it is estimated less than 50 were made. This gun has the “NEW MODEL 1869” marking by the caliber marking. The rear sight on this gun has been replaced by a frontiers alteration of a bone sight. This quite possibly could be Buffalo bone. The barrel is reasonably sharp with a light brown patina. The wood is very good as cleaned.  The wood also has a patch box, which means it is possibly replaced. , or the patch box was professionally added. Very Early rare gun!