THE MAIN ARTICLE, “Scientific Buffalo Hunter,” published in Guns & Ammo’s second issue described the exploits of Civil War-veteran Frank Mayer. Mayer used a .45-120-550 Sharps fitted with a German-made 10X scope to allegedly kill thousands of bison until he re-enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1875. He retired 35 years later as a colonel, then served as a law officer in Colorado. He continued hunting until he turned 100 in 1950.
A short sidebar to the article spotlighted another Sharps used by famous buffalo hunter and lawman, Bill Tilghman. His second wife, Zoe Tilghman, was photographed holding the rifle and was quoted, “With it, he killed 7,500 buffalo; hunters kept accounts daily. He wore it out until the barrel was smooth inside, sent it to the factory and had…
