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LOT 3131
Fine Documented Montana Territory
Shipped Sharps Bridgeport Model 1874 Sporting Buffalo Rifle in .45-70 with Factory
Letter - Serial no. 1566877, 45-70 Government cal., 30 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This Sharps Model 1874 sporting rifle
has an accompanying factory letter that lists it under its original serial number 156687 (without an added extra number 7 noted later in this description) as invoiced
from the Sharps Bridgeport factory on September 24, 1878 to J.G. Dow of Bozeman, Montana Territory, in 45 caliber, shell length not specified, with a 30 inch octagon
barrel, double triggers, open sights, and oil-finished stocks. This is the same shipment date and location as the Sharps 1874 sporting rifle in the
next lot with serial number 160980. This purchase was likely on the behalf of Bozeman, Montana dealer Walter Cooper, as J.G. Dow was the bank
representing him prior to bankruptcy. An accompanying consignor note also states, “This rifle came from the B.M. McCay Hardware, Bozeman,
Montana, where legend has it that the rifle was simply hung up as a display for years. When the hardware closed, McCay’s daughter and husband
Kenneth Stimson, took the gun to their home where it remained until after the death of both. I bought it from their estate about 1972.” These
Sharps Model 1874 rifles were a highly valued arm on the frontier, not only due to their firepower but also their long range accuracy. These
rifles were popular for both protection and hunting and saw widespread use throughout the turbulent American west, commonly referred to
as “buffalo rifles” as used by the commercial hunters of the period. According to “Sharps Firearms” by Frank Sellers, Sharps only manufactured
approximately 6,400 of these sporting rifles in a variety of configurations between 1871 to 1880. This example features a 30 inch octagon barrel
chambered for the desirable .45-70 caliber, with a dovetail mounted German silver Rocky Mountain blade front sight and a buckhorn notch and ladder rear sight.
The upper receiver tang is fitted with a later replacement ladder peep sight. The top barrel flat is marked “Old Reliable” ahead of the Sharps Bridgeport address with “CAL.45” at
the breech, with “2 1/10” on the right barrel flat at the breech. The left side of the receiver is marked with the two-line Sharps 1869 patent date, and the serial number “1566877”
(an extra “7” is added in error due to the modern replacement tang sight hole) is marked on the upper tang beneath the tang sight, with “156687” on the bottom of the original
barrel. It is mounted with a smooth walnut forearm and straight grip stock with a flat checkered steel buttplate.
CONDITION: Fine as Montana used, retains 70% original blue finish on the barrel with some areas of thinning and a few dings, smooth brown patina on the casehardened surfaces
showing traces of original case colors strongest in protected areas, with sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. Wood is very good as lightly sanded and re-oiled, with
numerous scattered dents and scratches, a crack visible at the left of the wrist, a spliced replacement section at the toe. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 3132
Documented “Frontier Used” Montana Territory Shipped Sharps
Bridgeport Model 1874 Sporting Buffalo Rifle in .45-70 with Factory Letter
- Serial no. 160980, 45-70 Government cal., 30 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened
finish, walnut stock. This Sharps Model 1874 sporting rifle has an accompanying factory letter that lists it
as invoiced from the Sharps Bridgeport factory on September 24, 1878 to J.G. Dow of Bozeman, Montana
Territory, in 45 caliber, shell length not specified, with a 30 inch octagon barrel, double triggers, open sights,
and oil-finished stocks. This is the same shipment date and location as the Sharps 1874 sporting rifle in
the previous lot. This purchase was likely on the behalf of Bozeman, Montana dealer Walter Cooper, as J.G. Dow was the
bank representing him prior to bankruptcy. These Sharps Model 1874 rifles were a highly valued arm on the frontier, not only due to their
firepower but also their long range accuracy. These rifles were popular for both protection and hunting and saw widespread use throughout
the turbulent American west, commonly referred to as “buffalo rifles” as used by the commercial hunters of the period. According to “Sharps
Firearms” by Frank Sellers, Sharps only manufactured approximately 6,400 of these sporting rifles in a variety of configurations between 1871 to
1880. This example features a 30 inch octagon barrel chambered for the desirable .45-70 caliber, with a dovetail mounted Lyman beaded blade front
sight and a Lawrence patent notch and ladder rear sight. The upper receiver tang is fitted with a later replacement ladder peep sight. The top barrel flat is marked “Old Reliable” ahead of the
Sharps Bridgeport address with “CAL.45” at the breech, with “2 1/10” on the right barrel flat at the breech. The left side of the receiver is marked with the two-line Sharps 1869 patent date, and the matching serial number “160980” is
marked on top of the receiver and bottom of the barrel. It is mounted with a smooth walnut forearm and straight grip stock with a flat checkered steel buttplate.
CONDITION: Very good as Montana used and full of unmistakable character typical of a working gun, with strong original blue finish showing in the protected areas of the barrel, notably hidden beneath the forearm, with the
exposed surfaces displaying a smooth brown patina, smooth gray patina on the casehardened surfaces showing traces of original case colors in protected areas, scattered natural surface freckling, with defined markings in the
metal overall. Wood is good with the desirable type of wear only seen in a western used gun, with a smooth undersized forearm indicative of plenty of time riding in the saddle, a spliced replacement section on the bottom of the
buttstock, and numerous scattered frontier scars. Mechanically fine. This “frontier used” Montana shipped Sharps Model 1874 sporting buffalo rifle would display wonderfully in any western or Americana collection!
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 3133
Colt Model 1862 Police “Belly Gun/Avenging Angel” Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 42016, 36 cal., 1 7/8 inch round bbl., blue/
casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. Originally manufactured c. 1870, this is an interesting example of a Colt Model 1862 Police revolver
which was period modified into what is often called a “belly gun” or “avenging angel”. These Frontier modified sidearms are some of the fore
fathers of today’s specialized concealed carry firearms. These “belly guns” could be easily tucked away in a boot or coat pocket and used in any
number of tricky situations one might find themselves in during America’s “Wild West” period. These revolvers were made by shortening the barrels, often
removing or modifying the loading lever, and sometimes reattaching the front sight blade, with this example having the loading lever removed and a German silver
front sight blade attached. The top of the barrel has a portion of the single-line address remaining, with the Colt’s patent marking on the left of the frame, and “36CAL” on
the left of the trigger guard. The matching serial number is on the bottom of the barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap. It is fitted with a smooth walnut grip.
CONDITION: Very good as period modified to “belly gun” configuration, showing mostly a mottled grey brown patina and a few scattered patches of light pitting, typical of
a pocket carried Frontier sidearm. The grip is very good with some mild wear and a few light handling marks. Mechanically excellent. These “belly guns” are a rare find on today’s market,
particularly one made from a Colt Model 1862 Police!
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
BOTH OF THESE DESIRABLE
MONTANA SHIPPED SHARPS
MODEL 1874 RIFLES WERE
IN THE SAME SHIPMENT, TO
J.G. DOW OF BOZEMAN MT,
SEPTEMBER 24, 1878
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