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LOT 40
Rare Documented A.J. Plate & Company San Francisco Shipped “Frontier Used” Sharps Hartford
Model 1874 Buffalo Rifle in Desirable .50 Caliber with Factory Letter - Serial no. C,54439, 50-70 U.S. Govt cal., 30 inch part octagon bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, walnut stock. The Sharps Model 1874 was one of the classic western firearms and were particularly popular with buffalo hunters. The
accompanying factory letter indicates this rifle was invoiced on March 27, 1875, to Sharps dealer A.J. Plate & Company of San Francisco, California, as a “Model
1874 One-Half Octagon rifle” in .50 caliber with a full 30 inch barrel, double set triggers, open sights, and oil finished stocks.
The rifle has an antique ivory Rocky Mountain blade front sight in a dovetailed base, “SHARPS RIFLE CO. HARTFORD CONN.”
ahead of the Lawrence patent buckhorn notch and folding ladder rear sight, and “CALIBRE 50” on top of the breech, a
pewter forend cap, matching serial number “C,54439” marked on top of the receiver tang and on the bottom of the barrel,
“54439” stamped inside of the forearm channel, and a steel buttplate.
CONDITION: Very good plus, with a pleasing, even frontier patina overall, retains 20% original blue finish with smooth
brown patina on the balance, a mix of silvery gray and brown patina with scattered surface freckling on the casehardened
surfaces, and defined markings and edges in the metal overall. Wood is fine with a reattached small section on the left rear of the forend, a deep old indent visible on the right of the wrist area, scattered light scratches and handling marks, and defined edges and fitment. Mechanically excellent. This San Francisco shipped “Frontier Used” Sharps Model 1874 buffalo rifle, with just the right amount of character, would make a fine addition to any antique American or western firearms collection!
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 41
Very Scarce, Documented, Early Production Raised
Thumbprint Dust Cover, Three-Digit Serial Number 506 Winchester First Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle with Factory Letter - Serial no. 506, 44-40
WCF cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1874 as a first model with
raised thumbprint dust cover held in place by two integral guides. The accompanying factory
letter lists this desirable early production Model 1873 with a 24 inch round barrel when received
in the warehouse on March 5, 1874 and shipped on March 9. It is hard to imagine a very early
production Winchester Model 1873 such as this not seeing use on the American Frontier. The rifle
is equipped with a dovetail blade front sight and an elevation adjustable rear sight CORRECTLY installed in the reverse position. The top of the barrel
is stamped with the two-line address/patent dates marking ahead of the rear sight. The rifle correctly lacks caliber markings. The upper tang is marked “MODEL 1873.”The lower tang has the hand engraved three digit serial number, a very seldom encountered feature seen on only the earliest 1st models. The forearm and straight grip stock are uncheckered straight grain walnut. A sling swivel is mounted on the forend cap. The buttstock sling swivel is absent with the hole enlarged. The buttstock is fitted with a trapdoor crescent buttplate. Includes a four piece cleaning rod.
CONDITION: Very good, showing “frontier issued” character with scattered traces of original blue finish in the sheltered areas. The wood is also very good with an area of chipping along the grain, a few paint splatters, and minor handling marks. Mechanically fine. A rare opportunity to acquire an early production three digit serialized Winchester Model 1873 lever action rifle that is full of the character that only comes from time spent in the American West.
Provenance: The Collection of David L. DeLullo.
Estimate: 7,500 - 12,000
LOT 43
Desirable H.H. Heiser Denver, Colorado “Bull’s Head” Mexican Loop Holster Rig with Heiser Matched Cartridge Belt - Trademarked in 1878 in Denver, Colorado, H.H. Heiser Saddlery produced a wide range of leather goods, including gun leather, well into the 20th century. This example shows one of their more iconic designs, featuring a bull’s head prominently embossed on the holster loop. This bull’s head design is pictured and discussed on p. 183-186 of “Packing Iron: Gunleather of the Frontier West” by Rattenbury, where he indicates that examples like this one were a continuation of an earlier design from the 1890s. The Heiser maker’s mark is present on the skirt of the holster and on the buckle billet of the belt. The belt is also marked “38” and measures about 38 inches including the full lengths of the billets. The belt has a single row of cartridge loops (likely for .44 or .45 cartridges) and a squared nickeled buckle. The holster will accommodate a 4 3/4 inch barreled Single Action Army revolver and is setup in a cross draw configuration for a right handed shooter. CONDITION: Excellent, the belt and holster both show very mild wear overall with attractive consistent color and tight stitching throughout. Though they were popular in the American West for decades, the Heiser cartridge belts are seldom seen, particularly in combination with one of the their more iconic holster designs!
Estimate: 1,200 - 2,000 63
Desirable Antique Colt Model 1878 Frontier Six Shooter Double Action Revolver - Serial no. 35805, 44-40 cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured in 1896. Though never as popular as their Single Action Army cousins, the Model 1878 revolvers, particularly chambered in .44-40, were highly valued on the Frontier for their rapid firepower and their ability to be easily paired with a Winchester Model 1873 rifle or carbine in the same caliber. The barrel is stamped with the one-line Hartford address and “COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER” on the left side. The cylinder is numbered to the gun (“805”). CONDITION: Very good plus as a Colt that has great “been there, done that” character, retaining 40% original blue finish with the balance a mottled brown-gray patina, scratches and well worn grips with absent chip. Mechanically functions fine although cylinder is loose. If you are looking for a Model 1878 that sat in a drawer, you will need to look elsewhere as this piece proudly wears the scarring of authentic frontier use. Provenance: The John Fox Collection; Property of a Gentleman. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,750
LOT 42