I have the opportunity to purchase a Shiloh Sharps 1874. It is used and the history of the gun is non-existant. The serial number on the gun is B816. The caliber says 45 4/10ths i think. Can anyone give me any information on this? What the gun might be worth. It is not mint. The blueing is rough in spots and there are some scratches on the stock. Thank you.

Sorry, I don't know, but maybe the folks at the Shiloh Sharps forum could help:

http://www.shilohrifle.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=3&sid=81ce97f880dd54598f8f23a1ebc5473f

Thanks for your response. I am just waiting for the moderator to ok my registration on the Sharps sight. Thought someone here might have an answer for me. I am very new to this hobby and I don't know if this gun is a good buy or not.

If you don't find out what you need to, you might try The High Road, The Firing Line, or another of the large forums. But, maybe someone here knows about them. If I see something else, I'll post it.

You have a Shiloh chambered for what we now call the 45-90 Sharps which was widely used back when for long range target shooting as now for 1000 yd + gongs and such. Recoil is considered a bit heavy for the standard array of silouhettes in BPCR matches. Still it is a great caliber.

Too many factors enter into the picture to give you an accurate estimate. You say it has been worked pretty hard and that really will affect value. Still, provided the bore is good you can make a good shooter.

I mentioned factors:

Model or type - #1, #3, Long Range Express, etc ???. Hartford or Bridgeport?

Extras - Hartford collar, pewter forearm tip. Plain, fancy, or extra fancy wood. Shotgun or military buttplate. Also wood finish and does the barrel have a matte or high polish blue?

Sights - Standard buckhorn rear/blade front or does it have vernier sights and then who made them?

Before you post over on the Shiloh forum, you'll need to take some pics so the guys there will be able to see and assess. Shiloh might be able to do some refinishing....for a price of course.

If its a plain jane #3 and in rough condition I'd guess its still worth 900-1000 as a shooter again provided the bore is OK. Get some pics on the forum over there and check it out.

Wow. Thanks for the info! The rifle has no rear sight, ramp or otherwise. I don't know what it is called but the front sight has a blade with the circle around it. My gues is that the wood is just plain. There is no cap on the forstock and the butt is just plastic. From the looks of the rifling in the barrel I would guess it hasn't been worked hard but just stored improperly and kicked around in someone's closet. Thanks again for everyone's help. It's a great help just with the caliber. Can these shells still be purchased? Great forum.

Pictures would help a lot. A plastic buttplate suggests a #1. Does the rifle have a straight grip or pistol grip? If the latter, it is likely a #1. You can go to the Shiloh website and compare the pics with yours.

Remember that a ruined bore can't make up for all the niceties as it will only deal you misery.

Ammo can be purchased from Buffalo Arms as well as Midway USA....I think. But it will be fairly expensive so plan on reloading.

Lastly, does the rifle have double set or a single trigger....forgot to mention that in last post.

If it has double sets, a good bore, and you can get it for the money I'd go for it.

Yes it does have the double triggers and the price he is asking is $500. I think it is the pistol grip. The rifling in the barrel looks pristine. I'll have another look at it when I go to purchase it but what should the bore look like? Thanks for all your help.

Pistol grip = #1 most likely.

Ask permission to run a tight fitting oily patch down it. It should then look like the inside of any other rifled barrel in good shape. If you don't see any pitting or rust on the patch you have a WINNER. A little discoloration is OK as that will clean up and it'll still shoot. Surface rust is acceptable but not deep pitting. Heck, even if the barrel is shot Shiloh will re-barrel for 600 bucks and you're still way ahead! Buy it or let me know where its at!:)

If you can get that rifle for $500 you have just about made the deal of the century....well almost anyway. That same rifle unless its been thrown through a barbed wire fence is worth $1400+. Send or post pics cause I'm real curious.

Thanks for all your help. As soon as I get it I will get you some pics.