By Roy Marcot, Ron Paxton, and Edward W. Marron, Jr.
206 pages, hardbound edition, $60.00
Copyright 2025
The team of writers and photographers, headed by Roy Marcot, who put the four-volume set of terrific books about Sharps Firearms, has followed up with another, called Sharps Firearms, A Collector’s Guide. This new book, while it was prepared by members of the same team, is not a continuation of that set, although it is certainly a welcome addition. It isn’t a continuation because it treats the subject of Sharps firearms in a totally different way.
Each of the Sharps falling block models are included, from the first in 1848 through to the Sharps Borchardt of 1878, as well as the Sharps double-barreled shotgun and the Sharps Lee bolt action rifle, plus the Sharps single shot pistols and the “pistol-rifles.” The Sharps & Hankins rifles and carbines are also included as well as the Robinson “Confederate Sharps Carbines.” Examples of those models are shown and given a two-page rundown giving the variations, or general options, plus the calibers made, in addition to the approximate number of the guns made.
One example is the Sharps New Model 1859 Sporting Rifle which was made in .44 or .52 calibers, firing linen cartridges with percussion ignition. Only eleven of those rifles are known.
There are eighteen different versions of the Model 1874 identified and given attention. Some of those versions were not actually named by Sharps. Instead, they were guns that were fitted with certain options which put them in what we now recognize as a separate category. One example of that is the attention given in this book for the Sharps Model 1874 Heavy Barrel Target Rifles. Those rifles were built to order for competitive shooting at ranges out to and over 1,000 yards, with heavy barrels which gave the rifles weights from 16 to 25 pounds. The heavy barreled target rifles were never cataloged by Sharps but enough of them are known today to be included in this interesting book.
Of course, the Creedmoor and Long Range Rifles do get more attention and those were named as such by the Sharps company. Those were the rifles that some members of the American team used in the famous shooting matches at 800, 900, and 1000 yards when in competition with the Irish team in 1874. Rules for those matches were very strict and the rifles had to have specific characteristics as well as weighing no more than ten pounds.
Another very interesting model of the Sharps which is given excellent coverage in this book is the percussion Model 1859, both rifles and carbines. It was the 1859 rifles that were ordered by Sir Hiram Berdan for his Sharpshooters during our country’s Civil War, and those rifles can be identified by their double-set triggers. Model 1859 Sporting Rifles and carbines are also covered. The Model 1859 is an outstanding Sharps because that was the first version of this falling block rifle to have a vertical breech block.
Prior to the Model of 1859, all of the Sharps rifles and shotguns had the slanting breech block and, of course, those were all percussion arms. This new book has 30 pages dedicated to the “slant breech Sharps” and I wasn’t aware that there were so many different versions. I’m certainly enjoying getting a few new wrinkles…
This new book’s Table of Contents covers two complete pages. Instead of listing chapters, the listings are for particular versions of the various models. Usually, each model is given just two very complete pages, with very excellent photos. While I do dwell on the “side hammer” Sharps versions, the hammerless Sharps Borchardt of 1878 is certainly given its proper share of coverage, including Officer’s Models and carbines.
Of course, the Sharps Model 1874 is my greatest interest. That rather broad subject is covered with 46 pages of text and photos devoted to the ’74, covering all versions and some un-named models of the ’74 which fall into their own category based on characteristics. The ’74 Sharps Buffalo Rifles are an example of that. Sharps never did identify any version of their ’74 as a buffalo rifle but two pages are in this new book covering the possible buffalo rifles by indicating the features, such as barrel weight and the calibers, that the buffalo hunters preferred and selected.
Excellent attention is given to the differences between the Hartford and Bridgeport models. In addition to that, they include information on how many of the Sharps rifles were made in each caliber, such as the estimated total of only 320 rifles for each of the .44-90 Sharps and the “Big .50” with the 2 ½” case. Another interesting list shows the estimated number of 1874 rifles made per year, from 1871 through to 1879.
Both the earlier and later Sharps rifles, military and civilian, are covered just as thoroughly, beginning with the Model of 1848, which was an 1841 Mississippi Rifle converted to be an under-lever breech loader, to the twelve versions of the Sharps Borchardt and the Lee bolt actions. Within that spread, the Model of 1875 is shown as well plus the varieties of the Model 1877. Sharps conversions are also mentioned in addition to the line-throwing guns used from ships.
Sharps Firearms, a Collector’s Guide covers the entire list of the Sharps breechloaders. Anyone, collector or those just interested (like me), will appreciate this book as an excellent reference, to be visited over and over to learn the ins and outs of the legendary Sharps firearms.
Hardcover, the retail price for this book is $60.00. Orders can be sent to Roy Marcot, 4680 Placita Casa Sevilla, Marana, Arizona 85658. Make checks out to Northwoods Heritage Press and please add $5 for shipping. If you have any questions regarding an order, contact Roy Marcot by email at roymarcot@msn.com. –Mike Nesbitt
