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March 29, 2022
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Purchased a 86’ 45-70 with a stamp on top of barrel between receiver and sights. Has WF sheard Livingston Mt on it have tried to look up but not found a lot of information.
November 1, 2013
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Sheard was a major gun retailer, as well as maker of a famous patented front sight, & any gun sold out of his shop, or even brought into it for repair, was stamped with his mark. Sight business sold to Marble’s around turn of century, which sold more of them than Sheard himself. Later moved to Tacoma, Wa.
July 31, 2005
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W.F. Sheard was a Montana gunsmith and firearms dealer from 1884 – 1895. His shop was in Livingston. He then moved to Tacoma, Washington. He was known to have invented some patent sights. Sheard marked Sharps rifles are considered to have a premium. I suppose the same can be said for Sheard stamped Winchester rifles from the Montana period.
I call myself a collector as it sounds better than hoarder
November 1, 2013
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Some additional info: https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-sights/front-sight-question/#p117434
March 29, 2022
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Just very interesting did he place any sights on guns he stamped if so how would I know.
November 1, 2013
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Mark Trivett said
Just very interesting did he place any sights on guns he stamped if so how would I know.
Well, if it has a Sheard front sight on it, it’s likely it came from his shop. But he didn’t place them on all the guns he sold–it was an extra cost option. He was also a big promoter of Lyman tang sights.
March 31, 2009
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Mark Trivett said
Just very interesting did he place any sights on guns he stamped if so how would I know.
His sights are always marked with his name. You can find Winchesters with the Sheard sight on them. I have a couple but the Letter does not show this sight.
January 13, 2010
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Finding anything on W.F Sheard is next to impossible. I have checked museums in Livingston and found nothing. It has been quite a search, but i have come up with some copies and an original letter head from Sheard.
I also have several Winchesters that are W.F. Sheard marked. He certainly is an interesting dealer of guns in the frontier…
The rifles are:
Winchester Low wall in 22 long
Winchester a886 in 40-65
Winchester 1876 in 45-75
