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LOT 3066
Rare and Exceptional Documented Sharps Hartford Model 1874 Mid- Range No. 1 Target Rifle in .44-77 Caliber with Factory Letter - Serial no. 155948, 44-77 cal., 28 inch octagon bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, walnut stock. Only 102 Mid-Range No. 1 rifles were manufactured in January 1876 to
November 1879, with only 36 of those
made at the Hartford factory like this example, and a very
small amount with 28 inch barrels. Considering the majority of
Mid-Ranges were chambered in .40-70, this example being in .44-77 is considered rare and unusual. Per the included factory letter, this rifle, serial number 155948,
was originally invoiced at the Bridgeport factory on June 16, 1876 to Schuyler, Hartley & Graham of New York City as a Model 1874 Mid-Range No. 1 rifle with a 28 inch full octagon barrel in .44 caliber,
weight unlisted, and $73 net price. The letter indicates the order on this date consisted of three total Mid-Range No. 1 rifles in .44 caliber with 28 inch barrels, this one with full octagon barrel and the other two with half octagon barrels. According to consignor
notes, Richard Labowskie, the writer of the factory letter, indicated the other two guns on the order were serial numbers 156023 and 156028 in .44-77. The lot is also accompanied by a factory letter for serial number 156028, a No. 1 Mid-Range with half octagon barrel, shipped on the same day June 16, 1876 to the same address, as part of the same order although not specified in the included letter. The rifle has a factory original dovetail mounted windage globe front sight with spirit level, “SHARPS RIFLE CO. HARTFORD CONN” markings ahead of the Lawrence patent rear sight, “CALIBRE 44” on top of the breech, “75” on the right of the breech (.44-75 Sharps caliber, aka .44-77), matching full serial number “155948” marked on the upper tang, bottom of the barrel, and inside the forearm channel along with “5948” marked on the interior of the buttplate, with non-matching serial number “156835” on the left of the factory original tang peep sight base, Sharp’s patent marking on the left, and fitted with a checkered forend and pistol grip buttstock along with a nickel plated buttplate. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 85% original blue finish with some thinning to a smooth brown patina on the balance, 85% original case colors, with some patches of light surface freckling, 85% original nickel plating on the buttplate with attractive bright patina, and sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. Wood is very fine with defined edges, some scattered dents and light scratches, and a few small nicks in the otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 10,000 - 16,000
LOT 3067
Desirable “W.R.A. Co” Inscribed Sharps Borchardt Model 1878 Sporting Rifle - Serial no. 17864, 40 Sharps cal., 26 inch round bbl., blue finish,
walnut stock. This is an attractive and desirable example of a Sharps Borchardt Model 1878 sporting rifle chambered for the .40-50 Sharps straight cartridge.
The Sharps Rifle Co. manufactured a total of 750 Model 1878 sporting rifles with round barrels between October 1877-October 1881. Most of these saw heavy use
on the Western frontier for buffalo hunting, although this example appears to be a special case in that it is period inscribed in fancy scrip with “W.R.A. Co.” on the right of
the frame, and “W.R.A. Co.” and “40/50 Sharps Straight” on top of the barrel. Consignor notes indicate this is a Winchester ammunition test gun. The rifle has a blued 26-inch round barrel that is also marked with its standard markings on top with “OLD RELIABLE” in script followed by “SHARPS RIFLE CO. BRIDGEPORT, CONN.” ahead of the rear sight, and “CAL. 40 1 7/8” on the left of the breech. The matching serial number is marked on the bottom of the receiver and barrel underneath the forearm. “9779” marked on the rear flat of the forearm. All blue finish on the metal components. The walnut buttstock and forearm are uncheckered and have an oiled finish, with a checkered shotgun style buttplate. The barrel is fitted with a dovetail mounted Lyman beaded blade front sight and folding ladder rear sight.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 95% Winchester applied factory blue
finish with some mild corrosion/pitting visible on
the rear sight, and crisp inscriptions. The wood
is fine as lightly sanded and re-oiled, with some
areas slightly undersized around the edges, and
otherwise defined figure. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,500
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