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LOT 70
Desirable Frontier Issued Sharps Model 1874 Sporting Rifle in .40-90 - Serial no. 155251, 40-90 Sharps cal., 30 inch octagon bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, walnut stock. According to “Sharps Firearms” by Frank Sellers, Sharps only manufactured approximately 6,400 of these sporting
rifles in a variety of configurations between 1871 to 1880. This example is fitted with double set triggers and a 30 inch, heavy, octagon barrel and is one
of a reported 360, including both the Model 1869 and Model 1874 rifles, chambered for the desirable .40-90 caliber, making this example relatively scarce
(according to page 83 of Roy Marcot’s “Sharps Firearms” Volume II). Modified brass blade front sight and a modified fixed notch rear sight. The top barrel flat is marked “Old Reliable”
ahead of the Bridgeport address, and the left barrel flat is marked “CAL.40” ahead of “2 5/8”. The left side of the receiver is marked with the two-line Sharps 1869 patent date, and the matching
serial number “155251” is marked on the upper tang and underside of the barrel. It is mounted with a smooth walnut forearm numbered to the gun and straight grip stock with a steel buttplate. This
Sharps sporting rifle in .40-90 caliber likely saw its fair share of frontier use, and would have had plenty of stopping power for taking down buffalo on the plains.
CONDITION: Very good, showing plenty of frontier character, with traces of faded original blue finish on the barrel with smooth brown patina, and a charming mix of silvery gray and brown patinas on the casehardened
frame and components with strong traces of attractive cloudy original case colors on the lock around the hammer. The wood is good with charming western wear and numerous scattered period handling marks and scars. Mechanically excellent. This scarce .40-90 chambered Sharps Model 1874 sporting rifle, with charming frontier character, exemplifies a trusty sidearm of an American plains hunter from the late 19th century.
Estimate: 6,000 - 8,000
LOT 71
Very Scarce Antique Winchester Model
1873 Lever Action Saddle Ring Trapper’s Carbine with Highly Desirable 16 Inch
Barrel - Serial no. 391229B, 38 cal., 16 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1891, a carbine such as this would have been a
very desirable arm in the American West, not only with trapper’s, but anyone looking for impressive firepower in a small and mobile package. This
example is a Third Model with integral dust cover guide and dust cover with serrations at the rear. The top of the barrel is faintly marked with the
two-line address/King’s patent marking and the caliber marking at the breech. The upper tang has the model marking and the lower tang is marked with
the serial number. It is fitted with a pinned German silver blade front sight, a folding ladder rear sight, and a saddle ring on the left of the receiver. It is mounted with
a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a trapdoor carbine buttplate (cleaning rod not included).
CONDITION: Good, showing the brown and dark grey patina of a trusted frontier arm and some scattered patches of light pitting with softened markings overall. The wood shows the weathered appearance of a Western survivor with minor handling marks scattered throughout and a few hairline cracks. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Brandhorst Collection.
Estimate: 7,000 - 10,000
LOT 72
Desirable Serial Number 1000 Colt Burgess Lever Action Rifle - Serial no. 1000, 44 WCF cal., 25 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. The
Colt Burgess rifles and carbines were only available from 1883 to around 1885, and only 6,403 were manufactured. This design by Burgess was one of the
highest quality competitors to the Winchester Model 1873 on the American frontier, and was arguably more advanced. There are rumors that a back room
deal was reached between Winchester and Colt, that the other would not encroach on the others “turf”, leading to Colt halting production of these guns. This example
has standard markings and is fitted with dovetailed German silver blade front and elevation adjustable notch rear sights. Mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip
stock with a crescent buttplate.
CONDITION: Very good, with traces of original blue finish in sheltered areas with the balance mostly a smooth grey patina speckled with some patches of brown and a few scattered patches of very light pitting/rough oxidation, typical of a rifle that spent years on the frontier. Sling swivel holes in the forend cap and stock have been filled. The sanded wood is good with two noticeable triangular splices at the front of the forearm along with a couple hairline cracks and otherwise generally mild handling evidence, all signs of a rifle that was heavily used but well-maintained. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 73
Antique Colt Black Powder Frame Frontier Six Shooter Single Action Army Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 103960, 44-40 WCF cal.,
7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. When introduced in 1877, the .44-40 W.C.F. Single Action Army, or Frontier Six Shooter, was intended to be used in
conjunction with another legendary western icon, the Winchester Model 1873 rifle, which came standard in the same chambering. “The .44-40 WCF was added to the list of Colt
calibers for use with the popular Winchester rifle of the same caliber,” wrote Colt author David Brown. “This combination of a rifle and a six shooter using the same cartridge made it
possible for their user to buy only one kind of ammunition, and he could carry ‘fodder’ for both guns in the same cartridge belt.” Manufactured in 1882, it has the standard one-line address on
top of the barrel and “COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER” in an etched panel on the left. The left side of the frame is marked with the three-line patent dates. Matching serial numbers are visible on
the frame, trigger guard, and back strap, and the partial matching number is marked on the cylinder and barrel under the ejector rod housing. The original varnished single piece wood grip is
matching numbered “3960” in ink on the interior. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration (barrel length and grips not listed, as was standard) as well as shipment to E.C. Meacham
Arms Co. in St. Louis on 10 December 1882. These St. Louis arms distributors were prolific in shipping their guns farther west as well as local sales, preparing settlers for
the dangers ahead on the Western Frontier.
CONDITION: Good, retaining traces of the original blue finish in sheltered areas and otherwise a smooth grey patina and extensive scattered small patches of light pitting, typical of a frontier working gun. The acid etched panel is lightly visible. The grip shows the gentle wear of years of being handled as a working gun, with some scattered minor dings. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
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