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A small rectangular loading gate allows loading of single “Rocket Ball” cartridges. The ring trigger
pushes the breechblock into place and operates the automatic pill primer. Beginning in 1852,
Robbins and Lawrence abandoned the underpowered rocket ball cartridge in favor of building muzzle loading variants. Many of
the original breech loaders were altered by outside gunsmiths into muzzle loaders as well and consequently many of
the already scarce single shots are no longer found in original form. This example escaped conversion. It is marked
“PATENT 1849/C.P. DIXON AGENT/NEW YORK” on the left side of the action. “WJ” is stamped behind the trigger guard. It
features post and notch sights and is fitted with a straight wrist walnut stock with German silver inscription plate on the right
and a sporting buttplate. A sling swivel is fitted in front of the trigger guard, and a stud for a second swivel is on the barrel band.
CONDITION: Good. The rifle retains a mixture of the faded original brown finish and a well established brown patina with some patches
of oxidation and pitting and scattered minor scratches. The refinished wood is good with several minor repaired cracks. The area around the
markings on the left has been cleaned, and the markings are crisp. Mechanically functions, though hammer does not release without assistance.
Provenance: The David L. DeLullo Jr. Collection.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 3063
Scarce and Desirable Robbins and Lawrence Jennings Breech Loading Single Shot Rifle -
NSN, 54 cal., 29 inch round bbl., brown finish, walnut stock. Only a small number of these Jennings rifles
were manufactured by Robbins and Lawrence in 1848-1852. The Jennings rifles mark the important second step
in the evolution of what eventually became the Volcanic, Henry, and Winchester lever actions. Work on the
Jennings rifles at Robbins and Lawrence is credited with bringing together B. Tyler Henry, Horace Smith, and Daniel
Wesson under the same roof and thus helped lead to both what became the highly successful Winchester lever action
series and the iconic Smith & Wesson partnership. This example is the single shot variant produced circa 1850-1851
using Jennings repeater components adapted for single shot use. The magazine tube used on the repeaters was
adapted to hold the cleaning rod.
Matching serial number “9513” visible on top of the
receiver, underside of the barrel, faint but legible on the
rear flat of the forend, underside of the lock, underside of the
patchbox door, and underside of the buttplate. The stock and
forend are straight grain oil-finished American walnut with a pewter
forearm tip, brass patchbox and buttplate. Sling swivels are fitted to the stock and the underside
of the barrel. The barrel is browned and the receiver, hammer and lever are casehardened. The top barrel
flat is roll-stamped “SHARP’S RIFLE/MANUFG.CO./HARTFORD, CONN.” in three lines ahead of the rear sight, with
serial number “9513” on the top of the receiver to the left of the tang screw, “SHARPS/PATENT/1852” in three lines on the lock plate, and
“SHARPS/PATENT/1848” on the left side of the receiver.
CONDITION: Extremely fine. Retains 80% original brown finish on the barrel, 85% plus period refurbished vivid original case colors on the frame, lock, hammer, lower tang and lever, with scattered
surface freckling on the iron components, strong traces of the original niter blue finish on the tang sight, attractive original bright golden patina on the brass components, and sharp markings
and edges in the metal overall. The re-oiled stock and forearm are fine with minor handling and storage marks, a reattached glued section visible on the bottom rear of the forearm, a spliced
replacement section to the left of the buttplate tang, a few minor cracks visible, and defined edges. Requires setting of the trigger prior to cocking, and hangs up in half cock, mechanically needs
work. This highly attractive example of an early production Sharps Model 1853 slant breech sporting rifle would make a fine addition to any antique American arms collection!
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 3062
Attractive Sharps Model 1853 Slant Breech Percussion
Sporting Rifle - Serial no. 9513, 44 cal., 26 inch octagon bbl., brown/casehardened finish,
walnut stock. This is an attractive example of a Sharps Model 1853 slant breech sporting rifle with
heavy “60 bore” (.44 caliber) octagonal barrel. Early Sharps rifles like this factory sporting rifle helped
establish breech loading firearms in the U.S. and led to Sharps rifles and carbines being among the most
significant firearms of the Civil War era and the settlement of the West after the war. Approximately 2,970 Model 1853 sporting rifles
were manufactured between 1854-1859 in a variety of configurations. On page 49 of “Sharps Firearms,” Frank Sellers lists a reported 1,127
sporting rifles were made chambered in “60 bore” (.44 caliber) with octagon barrels and plain finish. This group would have included a variety of barrel lengths and
other features. This rifle features double set triggers and is fitted
with an early folding single screw tang sight, a dovetailed front sight
with brass blade, folding ladder rear sight on the barrel, pewter forearm
cap and brass patch box on the right side of the buttstock.
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