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LOT 119
Desirable Documented Fort
Abercrombie, Dakota Territory
Shipped Sharps Model 1874
Single Shot Heavy Barrel Sporting “Buffalo Rifle” Originally Ordered by Frontiersman Frederick
A. Rounsavelle with Factory Letter - Serial no. 156046, 40-70 Sharps cal., 28 inch heavy octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock.
Manufactured in 1876, this Sharps Model 1874 shows all the spirit of the American West and many of the features normally associated with the “buffalo rifles”
used by the commercial hunters of the period, and it is documented as shipped to Dakota Territory, in the heart of the American
frontier, and one of the last areas of the West where buffalo could be hunted. It is believed that as few as approximately five
Sharps rifles were ever shipped to the Dakota Territory. The included factory letter lists the sporting rifle as invoiced at the
Bridgeport factory on 29 February 1876 to F.S. Rounsaville [sic] at Fort Abercrombie in Dakota Territory. It goes on to state that
the rifle was chambered for the .40 caliber 2 5/8 inch cartridge, having a full octagon barrel, single trigger, and open sights,
at a cost of $36. It also states that the rifle was shipped with 75 cartridges, two bullet molds, a cap awl, and one wad cutter.
Also included with the rifle is extensive consignor research on the identity of Rounsavelle. One of the documents is a copy of a
hand written letter from Rounsavelle to Sharps in which he orders this rifle. Born in Connecticut in 1849, Rounsavelle appears
to have moved steadily westward, being listed in the 1870 census as a teamster in Iowa, and in Montana in 1880, and in 1900
in North Dakota. There is no doubt that, during this period, he would have found plenty of uses for a rifle such as this one in
those areas of the American West. These rifles were highly valued on the frontier for their reliability and long range accuracy,
both for commercial hunting and for protection. Rounsavelle appears to have been active as a homesteader and horse trader in
the area of Williston, North Dakota, as well as many clues indicating that he may have been a member of “The Williston League”,
a vigilante justice organization operating in the area. Tragically, Rounsavelle was mistakenly killed by a friend of his in 1902
while both were out hunting, with an article covering the incident found in the 3 December 1902 issue of the Free Press Prairie Farmer out of Manitoba, Canada. Also included is extensive research regarding Rounsavelle and his
family members. Also included is Vol. 23 Number 3 of “The Sharps Collector Report” which features an article about the rifle by Bob Holter. The top flat of the heavy weight barrel is marked with the Hartford address and the caliber
marking at the breech. The two-line patent date is on the left of the action. The bottom of the barrel has is marked with the matching serial number twice, with one of them scored out. The serial number is marked on the upper
tang, which has a period brazed repair, the brazing material having filled the first two digits of the serial number. It is fitted with a German silver blade front sight, an R.S. Lawrence folding ladder rear sight, and double set triggers. It
is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a smooth steel rifle buttplate.
CONDITION: Good, retains faint traces of the original blue finish and faint patterns of the case colors with the balance mostly a smooth grey patina, some light vise marks visible on the center of the barrel, and a few small patches of
light pitting/oxidation. The lightly sanded/re-oiled wood is also good with a few minor edge chips and some scattered minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate:
8,500 - 13,000
LOT 118
Documented Historic
Sharps Model 1874 No.
2 Long Range Single Shot
Rifle with Factory Letter Attributed to Frontier Rancher Marquis de Mores - Serial no. 157860, 45/105/450
cal., 32 inch part octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1877, this is a fine example of one of only 229 Model 1874 No.
2 Long Range rifles manufactured at the Bridgeport facility. These rifles were specifically manufactured for competition shooting, which had become
extremely popular in North America and Europe in the late 19th century, but were also highly regarded as long range hunting rifles. The included factory
letter lists the No. 2 Long Range rifle as invoiced at the Bridgeport factory on 8 March 1877 to M.F. Kennedy & Bro. in St. Paul, Minnesota, who were a
gun a sporting goods dealer. It is noted that the original cost of the rifle was $100 less 20 plus 10% and that it shipped with 100 .45/105/450 cartridges
(.45 2 7/8). These “Long Range” rifles were one of the spiritual successors to the Model 1874 variation that Sharps had earlier called their “Creedmoor
Rifle”. A small 1934 dated note was stored in the stock hollow (removed and placed with the documents to prevent damage) which attributed the rifle as
having belonged to Marquis de Mores, who was a French aristocrat and military officer who became a notable rancher in the Badlands of North Dakota
alongside Theodore Roosevelt and Granville Stuart. A rifle like this would have been fitting for an affluent gentleman attempting to make his fortune on
the American frontier, both for protection and hunting. The top flat of the part octagon barrel has the “Old Reliable” marking, the one-line Bridgeport
address, and the caliber marking at the breech. The matching serial number is on the upper rear of the frame and on the bottom of the barrel. It is fitted
with a windgauge front sight, filler in the rear sight dovetail, and a Vernier peep sight numbered “160109” mounted on the upper tang. It is mounted
with a checkered Schnabel tip forearm and pistol grip stock with a checkered steel buttplate. Also included is some general information pertaining to
Marquis de Mores.
CONDITION: Very good, retains 40% plus of the thinned original blue finish and 30% of the original case colors in sheltered areas on the frame with the balance mostly a smooth grey
patina and a few scattered patches of light pitting. The refinished wood is fine with a hairline crack in the wrist, a few minor chips at the base of the pistol grip, scattered light handling
marks, and recut checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 120
Scarce Early Production “Oil Hole” Smith & Wesson No. 3 First Model American Single
Action Revolver - Serial no. 755, 44 S&W American cal., 8 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut
grips. Its estimated that only the first 1,500 S&W No. 3 First Model revolvers have a small “oil hole” or vent
hole in the bottom of the extractor housing making this example a rare variation. The rib has the one-line
address/patent dates marking. The early production three digit serial number is found on the butt and on the
back of the right grip panel. Matching assembly marks are stamped on the grip frame, cylinder, barrel, and
barrel latch.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 65% original blue finish with the balance a smooth brow-gray patina. 20%
original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger guard. The grips are also fine with some minor
handling marks and some high edge wear. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 5,500 - 7,500
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