Buffalo rifle generally refers to large-calibre, generally single-shot black powder cartridge firearms which were used to hunt the American Bison to near-extinction in the late-19th Century. Three types of rifles in particular were used by professional bison hunters, namely the Sharps rifle with a 90, 100 or 110 grain powder load, the Springfield Rifle and the Remington No.1 rifle otherwise known simply as the Rolling block.[1] The Sharps was the favorite among hunters because of its accuracy at long range.[2]

Buffalo rifle
The Sharps Model 1874 rifle in the .50-90 Sharps cartridge
TypeHunting Rifle
Place of originUnited States

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Smith, Clint (Oct 2001). "Buffalo Rifles of the Frontier". Guns Magazine. Retrieved 19 September 2010.
  2. ^ Venturino, Mike (August 2006). "The buffalo hunters and their rifles: image polishing and myth busting". Guns Magazine. Retrieved 19 September 2010.