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LOT 3141
Incredibly Scarce Documented Sharps Model 1851 “Box Lock”
Percussion Sporting Rifle as Pictured in “Sharps Firearms: The
Percussion Era 1848-1865” by Marcot - Serial no. 1523, 44 cal.,
26 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. These
early “Box Lock” rifles were manufactured by Robbins & Lawrence
under contract with Sharps from November 1, 1852, until April
1, 1855. They are readily identifiable by their hammers mounted
on the inside of the lock and by the rounded “slant breech”
actions. This specific rifle is pictured and
described on p. 108 of “Sharps Firearms: The Percussion
Era 1848-1865” by Marcot, where it is noted that the barrel is marked
Sharps rather than Robbins & Lawrence. It is theorized that this rifle, along
with some other sporting rifles, were partially produced by Robbins & Lawrence
and then later assembled/finished by Sharps. Richard S. Lawrence and William
Jones were responsible for taking Christian Sharps prototype and modifying
it for mass production. Most of these sporting rifles are believed to have
seen hard use by pioneers in the West for hunting and defense, making the
few surviving examples desirable in any condition. Only 53 were manufactured in this configuration
with an octagon barrel, no engraving, and in 60 bore (.44 caliber). Many have naturally been lost
or destroyed over the years. Similar rifles are pictured in “The Slant Breech Models” chapter of
Sellers’ “Sharps Firearms.” Matching serial numbers are found on the upper tang, bottom of the
barrel, and inside the primer door. The top of the barrel is marked with the Sharps Hartford
address. The primer door has the “EDWARD MAYNARD/PATENTEE/1845” marking, and the
upper tang has “C. SHARPS/PATENT/1848.” It is fitted with a blade front sight and a modern
made replacement adjustable “squirrel ear” notch rear sights. It also has a modern made
replacement tang mounted peep sight base which is missing the entire sighting aperture. It
is mounted with a smooth forearm with a German silver cap and a straight grip stock with
a brass buttplate and patchbox on the right.
CONDITION: Fine, showing a mottled grey and brown patina overall, typical of a frontier used longarm,
with some scattered patches of light surface pitting. The brass shows an attractively aged, natural patina.
The wood is good with a couple minor cracks in the wrist, some minor edge chipping, and scattered
minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent. A scarce Sharps Model 1851 rifle that likely survived the
American Frontier!
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 3142
Desirable and Attractive Colt Model 1860
Army “Belly Gun/Avenging Angel” Percussion Revolver - Serial no.
172536, 44 cal., 4 3/8 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, antique ivory
grips. Manufactured in 1868, this attractive Colt Model 1860 Army revolver was modified
to its current “Belly Gun/Avenging Angel” configuration sometime during its period of use.
These guns were popular in the American West for their concealable firepower, particularly
among the Mormon community who, at the time, experienced widespread persecution and were
in need of hidden weapons for protection. This particular example has had its barrel shortened to 4 3/8 inches, front
sight reattached in a dovetail, and the loading lever shortened and refitted under the barrel. The top of the barrel has
the standard one-line address, with the “A” in “address” obscured by the front sight. The left of the frame is marked
“COLTS/PATENT” and the left of the trigger guard is marked “44 CAL”. The matching serial number is marked on the
bottom of the barrel, frame, triggerguard, and back strap. The period replacement cylinder has a couple single letter
government inspection marks. It is fitted with a German silver blade front sight (possibly the reshaped, remounted
original), a hammer notch rear sight, and a smooth antique ivory grip.
CONDITION: Very good as period modified to “Belly Gun” configuration, retaining 50% of the blue finish on the barrel and
traces of the case colors and silver with the balance mostly a grey patina, some scattered patches of light pitting, and
some light dings. The cylinder retains much of the period refinished blue. The grip is fine with a minor crack in the right
panel, some hairline age cracks, and some light handling marks. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 3140
Documented “Frontier Used” George Spangler of Monroe,
Wisconsin Marked Berdan Sharpshooter Serial Range Sharps Sporting
Conversion Rifle in .44-40 WCF - Serial no. 55937, 44-40 WCF cal., 35 1/8 inch
octagon bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This Sharps rifle embodies all the spirit of the
American west, as period rechambered for use with .44-40 WCF, allowing ammunition interchangeability with
Winchester 1873 lever action rifles and some revolvers of the time, while still having the known reliability of a Sharps.
The frame, serial number 55937, was originally manufactured during the Civil War as a military
pattern New Model 1859 rifle with double set triggers, in the famous Berdan sharpshooter rifle
serial range (approximately 54000-57000), and was tastefully converted later into a “buffalo”
type sporting rifle with an octagon barrel chambered for use with .44-40 WCF sometime in the 1870s-1880s.
The conversion work was performed by gunmaker George Spangler of Monroe, Wisconsin (c. 1827-1913), who is also known
to have made some Schuetzen target rifles, with maker marking and address “G. SPANGLER/MONROE WI” ahead of “WARRANTED”
on top of the barrel. This exact rifle is pictured on page 341 of the book “Sharps Firearms: Model 1874, 1875 & 1877 Target Rifles and
Model Variations, Volume III” by Roy Marcot. It is fitted with a dovetail mounted blade front sight and elevator notch rear sight. The original breech block was
altered to centerfire with an extractor and hammer. Walnut forearm affixed with two screws, and American long rifle type buttstock with iron patchbox and brass
buttplate. Period initials “L.C.B” carved upside down on the right of the stock. Includes a binder of consignor research related to gunmaker George Spangler.
CONDITION: Good as period modified and full of frontier character, with a mix of western brown and gray patina, scattered spotting on the iron, a period brazed
repaired replacement hammer, breech block period modified to centerfire, period blue finish on the iron patchbox and attractive bright golden patina on the brass buttplate.
Wood is also good as sanded and re-oiled, with scattered light scratches and dents, and solid figure. Mechanically fine. This charming “frontier used” George Spangler marked
Sharps sporting rifle in .44-40 WCF has the look of a true western working gun, and made for a trusty companion on the plains!
Estimate: 4,750 - 6,500 AS PICTURED & DESCRIBED IN THE
BOOK SHARPS VOL. III BY MARCOT
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