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LOT 1071
“Frontier Issued” Sharps
Bridgeport Model 1874
Business Rifle in .45-90 -
Serial no. 159211, 45-90 WCF cal., 23 1/4 inch
round 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 rifle offered is full of unmistakable frontier character, and would display well in
any antique American arms collection. The rifle has a period shortened barrel, which essentially made it into a handy carbine, and was likely a trusty
sidearm that saw plenty of time in and out of the saddle out on the open plains hunting. Period added blade front sight and period added fixed notch
rear sight in place of the previous standard rear sight, Old Reliable marking and Bridgeport address on top of the barrel ahead of the rear sight, “BUSINESS
45” on the left of the breech, “CAL 45” on top at the breech, upside down “90” on the right of the breech, matching visible serial numbers on the underside of the barrel and upper tang,
double set triggers, smooth stock and forearm. This Business rifle appears to have been period rechambered from its standard .45-70 Government, or “.45 Business” chambering. The chamber
measures at 2.4 inches and properly chambers a .45-90 WCF cartridge as well as a .45-2 4/10 Sharps cartridge (both are nearly identical dimensionally), which would have allowed this frontier Sharps the ability to take down some larger game.
CONDITION: Very good overall as “frontier issued” and period modified with a mix of brown and gray patina, the frame with a silvery-gray patina, mild overall wear, patches of mild oxidation, and numerous nicks, scuffs, scratches and minor cracks in the wood typical of a rugged working gun. Mechanically fine. Serving as a true piece of
Americana, this “Frontier Used” Sharps Business rifle is as real as it gets, with a desirable “been there done that” look.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 1072
Winchester
First Model
1876 “Open
Top” Lever
Action Rifle with Scarce Heavy Barrel and Factory Letter - Serial no. 7853, 45-75 cal., 28 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish,
walnut stock. This early production Winchester Model 1876 rifle has the seldom seen “open top” frame, whereas the later Model 1876s were fitted with dust
covers. Only around 3,000 of these “open tops” were produced out of the total of 63,871 manufactured between 1876 and 1897. The Winchester Model 1876
was highly prized on the Western Frontier by those who didn’t wish to take a chance on .44-40 having enough stopping power to halt whatever threats they might
face. The included factory letter confirms the rare heavy 28 inch octagon barrel and set trigger. The letter also states the rifle was received in the warehouse on October 22,
1878 and shipped the same day. A heavy barrel on a Model 1876 is a very rare feature. George Madis estimated that 1 of each 1,000 Model 1876s manufactured had a factory heavy barrel (see “The Winchester Book,” page 253). The rifle is fitted with a dovetail blade front sight and an elevation adjustable rear sight. The top barrel flat has the two-line address/patent dates legend ahead of the rear sight. The rifle correctly lacks a caliber designation as early production Model 1876s were offered only in .45-75 WCF. The upper tang is marked “MODEL 1876.” The buttstock is fitted with a crescent buttplate.
CONDITION: Good displaying all the appearance of a trusted well traveled rifle that saw a lifetime of use in the challenging environment of the American West. The period non-factory replacement wood is fair showing “working gun” character with a repair in the wrist and a couple absent slivers at upper tang. Set trigger needs work, otherwise mechanically functions. A scarcity in lever action arms collecting, this Winchester “open top” Model 1876 rifle has all the look and feel of having survived the wilds of the West!
Provenance: The Collection of David L. DeLullo.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 1073
Colt Model 1877 Thunderer Double
Action Revolver with Pearl Grips
and Rare Freund’s Patent Sight - Serial
no. 40554, 41 Long Colt cal., 4 inch round bbl., nickel finish, pearl
grips. Manufactured in 1883. Two-line address on top of the barrel with
standard patent markings on the left side of the frame. The front sight is a
Freund & Bro. “famous muzzle sight” and is marked “FREUND’S/-PATENT-”.
Freund & Bro. patented this sight on April 17, 1877 and where attempting to
make better front sight that would work as well in low light as it did in the sun.
For more information and the patent drawing see page 176/77 of “Freund & Bro.: Pioneer Gunmakers to the West” by F. J. Pablo Balentine. A sight such as this would have been highly desirable for anyone, lawmen and outlaw alike, who depended on the accuracy of their sidearm on the Frontier. A piece of Old West history!
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 70% original nickel finish with some areas showing frosting. Some pitting is present just ahead of and on the front of the cylinder with light oxidation scattered throughout. The grips are very good with some shrinkage, a chip to the bottom of the left panel, and an overall attractive aged look. Mechanically fine. An interesting Colt Model 1877 Thunderer with a desirable period modification, giving it the true feel of
a Frontier firearm! Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 1074
Antique First Generation Colt
Frontier Six Shooter Single Action
Army Revolver with F.T. Frazier of
Colorado Marked Holster Money
Belt Rig - Serial no. 179111, 44-40
WCF cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl.,
blue/casehardened finish, antique
ivory grips. Manufactured in 1898,
these Frontier Six Shooter Revolvers were very popular in the American West
through the “Wild West” period and into the 20th century due to their ability
to be paired with Winchester’s lever actions that shared the same caliber. When
this example was made, much of the American West remained very much “wild”,
with this example showing the “been there, done that” look. The top of the barrel
has the standard two-line address and the Frontier Six Shooter marking is on the
left. The left side of the frame has the standard two-line patent dates followed by
the circled Rampant Colt. The matching serial number is on the bottom of the frame,
trigger guard, and back strap. The assembly number “888” is stamped inside the
loading gate. Includes a leather holster rig by F.T. Frazier of Pueblo, Colorado and 19
unprimed .44-40 WCF rounds.
CONDITION: Very good displaying “frontier issue” appearance with traces of original blue finish remaining in the sheltered areas, including on the barrel under the ejector rod housing. The age shrunken grips are also very good and show typical age lines and have an attractive, mellow, aged appearance. Mechanically fine. The holster rig is very good. A great example of Colt’s famed Frontier Six Shooter, paired with a Colorado-made Frazier holster rig, which together show all the allure and grit of the Western Frontier!
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
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