Page 125 - 4091-BOOK3

LOT 3202
Very Fine Sharps Model 1852 Slant Breech
Percussion Saddle Ring Carbine - Serial no.
4741, 52 cal., 21 1/2 inch round bbl., brown/blue/
casehardened finish, walnut stock. Approximately 5,000 manufactured between 1853-1855 by Robbins & Lawrence of Windsor, Vermont, for Sharps before production shifted to the very similar Model 1853 in Hartford, Connecticut. This is the earliest Sharps Model with the distinctive “slanting breech” and is fitted with the lever hinge pin retaining
spring mounted on the right rear of the forearm. The top of the barrel is marked “SHARP’S RIFLE/MANUFg CO./HARTFORD, CONN.” behind the rear sight, the receiver upper tang is marked “C.SHARPS/PATENT/1848”
followed by the serial number, and the lock is marked “C.SHARPS’/PATENT./1852.” Brass blade front and ladder rear sight. Sling ring and saddle bar mounted on the left of the barrel band and receiver. Mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with brass patch
box and carbine buttplate. Matching serial number “4741” marked on the receiver, breech block and bottom of the barrel.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 80% original brown finish with some scattered minor freckling, one very small patch of minor pitting on the
left of the barrel and a few dings on the right, 50% niter blue finish on the small parts with smooth brown patina on the balance, attractive untouched natural aged golden patina on the brass fittings, and sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. The wood is very fine with some scattered light
scratches and dents, some minor chipping on the bottom of the forend ahead of the lever, and defined edges. Mechanically excellent. One will look a long time to find a better example.
Estimate: 11,000 - 16,000
According to "The Book of Colt Firearms" by Wilson, approximately 1000 Colt Model 1855 "First Model" Sporting Rifles were produced
LOT 3203
Colt Model 1855 First Model Sporting Percussion Revolving Rifle - Serial no. 474, 40 cal., 27 inch part octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut
stock. Approximately 1,000 of the “First Model” revolving rifles and carbines were manufactured in 1856-1859 in several barrel lengths. The design is
essentially an upsized version of the Model 1855 “Root” revolvers. These are historically significant as the first long guns manufactured at Colt’s Hartford factory. They are
easily identified by an oiler and cleaning rod mounted on the left side of the frame (both absent on this example). This rifle has a dovetailed blade front sight, buckhorn notch rear
sight (replaces removed frame sight), “{COLT’S PT./1856}” and “{ADDRESS COL. COLT/HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.}” on top of the barrel at the breech, bordered knurling on the hammer, double
spur trigger guard, smooth buttstock with rifle buttplate, and the matching serial number on the barrel, cylinder, frame, and trigger guard tang.
CONDITION: Good as period modified, with a mix of attractively aged plum and gray patinas, and some patches of minor pitting and dings. The re-oiled weathered wood is good with some light handling marks, various cracks at the edges, and some filled in designs visible on either side of the wrist. Mechanically fine. This is a solid representative example of a scarce Colt Model 1855 First Model Sporting rifle and would make a fine addition to any American historic or Colt collection!
Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000
123