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Sharps Rifles

Designed in 1848 by Christian Sharps, the Sharps rifle is a large-bore single-shot rifle. This falling-block rifle is extremely accurate, chambered in a powerful cartridge, and very reliable. Sharps rifles were so well built that models from the 19th century are often still functioning.

Sharps rifles were popular among civilians and military alike. The rifle was easy to convert to metallic cartridges and adopted by numerous military forces worldwide.

A number of firearms companies produce accurate replicas of this classic rifle. Famed reproduction companies including Uberti produce a period-accurate 1874 Sharps rifle. Shiloh rifles produces a classic design with several variations. These variations change barrel lengths, stock and sight options, and caliber options. These replicas are often of outstanding quality and offer an opportunity for shooters to fire a piece of history.


Quick Facts

  • In the Tom Selleck film "Quigley Down Under," the character of Quigley famously uses his Sharps rifle to great effect
  • Sharps rifles are also known as Beecher’s bibles, named after an armed anti-slavery advocate Henry Beecher
  • The lighter, shorter Sharps military carbine was popular. More than 90,000 were produced

Recommended Items at Auction

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IAB / SILE SHARPS SRC.
May 10, 10:00 AM EDT
IAB / SILE SHARPS SRC.
by Poulin Antiques & Auctions
Est: $700- $1,200
$3752 Bids
SHILOH RIFLE MFG. CO. 1874 SHARPS SPORTING RIFLE.
May 09, 10:00 AM EDT
SHILOH RIFLE MFG. CO. 1874 SHARPS SPORTING RIFLE.
by Poulin Antiques & Auctions
Est: $2,000- $2,750
$1,0001 Bid
"Frontier Issued" Sharps Bridgeport 1874 Sporting Buffalo Rifle
May 03, 9:00 AM CDT
"Frontier Issued" Sharps Bridgeport 1874 Sporting Buffalo Rifle
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $4,000- $6,000
$3,5000 Bids
Sharps Sporting Conversion Percussion Buffalo Rifle
May 03, 9:00 AM CDT
Sharps Sporting Conversion Percussion Buffalo Rifle
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $2,500- $4,000
$2,0000 Bids
Sharps Borchardt Model 1878 Officers Model Rifle
May 04, 9:00 AM CDT
Sharps Borchardt Model 1878 Officers Model Rifle
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $10,000- $15,000
$9,0000 Bids
Special Order Sharps Model 1874 Sporting Rifle
May 04, 9:00 AM CDT
Special Order Sharps Model 1874 Sporting Rifle
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $4,500- $6,500
$4,0000 Bids
Exceptional Sharps New Model of 1863 Military Rifle
May 04, 9:00 AM CDT
Exceptional Sharps New Model of 1863 Military Rifle
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $8,500- $11,000
$7,5000 Bids
Factory Panel Scene Engraved Sharps Model 1853 Sporting Carbine
May 03, 9:00 AM CDT
Factory Panel Scene Engraved Sharps Model 1853 Sporting Carbine
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $20,000- $30,000
$18,0000 Bids
"Frontier Issued" Sharps Bridgeport 1874 Sporting Buffalo Rifle
May 02, 9:00 AM CDT
"Frontier Issued" Sharps Bridgeport 1874 Sporting Buffalo Rifle
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $4,500- $6,500
$4,0000 Bids
A.A. Kellogg Sharps Bridgeport Model 1874 Sporting Buffalo Rifle
May 02, 9:00 AM CDT
A.A. Kellogg Sharps Bridgeport Model 1874 Sporting Buffalo Rifle
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $17,000- $25,000
$15,0000 Bids
U.S. Sharps Model 1855 Slant Breech Carbine
May 04, 9:00 AM CDT
U.S. Sharps Model 1855 Slant Breech Carbine
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $5,500- $8,500
$4,7500 Bids
A Sharps Sporting Rifle, Dixie Gun Works
May 08, 10:00 AM CEST
A Sharps Sporting Rifle, Dixie Gun Works
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€4800 Bids
Sharps Borchardt Model 1878 Mid-Range Rifle
May 03, 9:00 AM CDT
Sharps Borchardt Model 1878 Mid-Range Rifle
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $4,000- $6,000
$3,5000 Bids
R. Swartley Engraved Sharps/Lloyd Chiswick 1878 Borchardt Rifle
May 04, 9:00 AM CDT
R. Swartley Engraved Sharps/Lloyd Chiswick 1878 Borchardt Rifle
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $11,000- $16,000
$9,5000 Bids
JUDSON BRENNAN COMTEMORARY FREUND SHARPS "BOSS
May 11, 10:00 AM EDT
JUDSON BRENNAN COMTEMORARY FREUND SHARPS "BOSS
by Poulin Antiques & Auctions
Est: $20,000- $30,000
$10,0000 Bids
TRULY RARE (1 OF 13 PRODUCED) SHARPS 1874
May 11, 10:00 AM EDT
TRULY RARE (1 OF 13 PRODUCED) SHARPS 1874
by Poulin Antiques & Auctions
Est: $15,000- $25,000
$7,5000 Bids
SHARPS MODEL 1874 SPORTING RIFLE PURCHASED BY
May 11, 10:00 AM EDT
SHARPS MODEL 1874 SPORTING RIFLE PURCHASED BY
by Poulin Antiques & Auctions
Est: $8,000- $18,000
$4,0000 Bids
SHARPS NEW MODEL 1863 CARTRIDGE CONVERSION CARBINE
May 11, 10:00 AM EDT
SHARPS NEW MODEL 1863 CARTRIDGE CONVERSION CARBINE
by Poulin Antiques & Auctions
Est: $4,000- $6,000
$2,0000 Bids
FINE NEW MODEL 1863 SHARPS CARBINE METALLIC
May 11, 10:00 AM EDT
FINE NEW MODEL 1863 SHARPS CARBINE METALLIC
by Poulin Antiques & Auctions
Est: $3,000- $4,000
$1,5000 Bids
FINE CIVIL WAR SHARPS NEW MODEL 1859 MILITARY
May 11, 10:00 AM EDT
FINE CIVIL WAR SHARPS NEW MODEL 1859 MILITARY
by Poulin Antiques & Auctions
Est: $4,000- $6,000
$2,0000 Bids
J. A. Clerke/Sharps .30-40 Krag 1878 Borchardt Single Shot Rifle
May 04, 9:00 AM CDT
J. A. Clerke/Sharps .30-40 Krag 1878 Borchardt Single Shot Rifle
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $5,500- $8,500
$4,7500 Bids
Sharps Bridgeport 1874 Long Range No. 3 Target Rifle .45 2 4/10
May 02, 9:00 AM CDT
Sharps Bridgeport 1874 Long Range No. 3 Target Rifle .45 2 4/10
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $7,500- $12,000
$6,5000 Bids
U.S. Sharps Model 1855 Slant Breech Carbine
May 02, 9:00 AM CDT
U.S. Sharps Model 1855 Slant Breech Carbine
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $9,500- $16,000
$8,5000 Bids
U.S. Navy Inspected Sharps Model 1855 Saddle Ring .577 Carbine
May 02, 9:00 AM CDT
U.S. Navy Inspected Sharps Model 1855 Saddle Ring .577 Carbine
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $6,500- $9,500
$5,5000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Sharps Rifles


Rock Island Auction Company

Rock Island Auction Company

Poulin Antiques & Auctions

Poulin Antiques & Auctions

Hermann Historica GmbH

Hermann Historica GmbH