Make: Axtell Rifle Company Sheridan Montana
Model: 1877 Sharps "Creedmoor"
Serial Number: 270
Year of Manufacture: Circa Early 1990s
Caliber: 45 2 1/10, 45-70
Action Type: Single Shot, Lever Operated, Falling Block Action, with single trigger.
Markings: The barrel is marked “-MODEL 1877- AXTELL RIFLE CO. SHERIDAN MONT. CALIBRE 45 2 1/10”. The top tang is marked with the serial “270”.
Barrel Length: 34” tapered profile round barrel. This rifle weighs approximately 10lbs 4oz.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a windage adjustable globe front sight with a circle cross hair insert and a spirit level. The tang sight is a Vernier style tang sight with long range staff and Hadley style multi aperture eyedisc. The back of the stock has a second sight base so the tang sight can be relocated for back position shooting. The rifle also includes a second Vernier style tang sight with no windage adjustment, a long range staff and small eyedisc.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The furniture set is a high grade two piece checkered walnut set. The forend is a round profile ebony tipped forend and the stock is a semi pistol grip, fluted straight comb with a plastic checkered butt plate and an ebony insert in the pommel. The stock wood has a beautiful grain. The wood shows scattered minor marks from light use and age with a few very small compressions and surface level lines. There are no chips or cracks. The butt plate shows some minor rub wear and some discoloration from age. Overall the furniture is in Fine+-Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued, Case Colored.
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. The rifling shows some very minor spots of fouling and superficial corrosion towards the muzzle end of the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains 99% of its metal finish. The barrel shows some very minor nicks, the most notable is 7" back from the muzzle on the lower left hand side. The action shows some minor rub marks on the tray. The lower tang shows a small spot where the lever sits. Both tang sights show some minor surface rust freckling. The markings are clear and the screw heads are sharp overall this rifle is in Fine-Fine+ condition.
Mechanics: The action and trigger function correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Includes a Custom Case, 2 tang sights, accessory block and wooden jag rod.
Our Assessment: This Axtell 1877 Sharps “Creedmoor” rifle is a faithful reproduction of the original 1877 Creedmoor long-range rifle, built around the classic Sharps falling-block action and chambered in .45-70. It features a 34-inch tapered round barrel and weighs just over 10 pounds, giving it the substantial balance expected of a dedicated long-range target rifle. The high-grade checkered walnut furniture complements the rifle's traditional styling, while the single trigger and period-inspired configuration closely follow the rifles used in the famous Creedmoor long-range matches of the late 19th century.
The rifle is equipped with a windage-adjustable globe front sight incorporating a spirit level and a Vernier-style tang sight with a long-range staff and Hadley-style multi-aperture eyedisc. The stock also incorporates a provision for moving the sight rearward when shooting from the back-prone position. With its faithful reproduction of the original 1877 Creedmoor configuration, premium walnut, sophisticated sighting system, and classic .45-70 chambering, this Axtell is an impressive modern interpretation of one of the most iconic American long-range rifles.
