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The left side of the receiver is marked with the two-line Sharps patent date, and the
serial number is marked on top of the frame. The rifle is equipped with double set
triggers and is mounted with a smooth walnut forearm and straight grip stock with
an iron buttplate.
The whole outfit was featured in the “Roll of Honor” in “Man at Arms for the Gun
and Sword Collector” Volume 27, No. 3, 2005 where it is described as: “A commercial
buffalo hunter’s outfit, including Sharps Model 1874 Old Reliable Sporting Rifle,
serial number 160704, .45 caliber with 30 3/8-inch octagonal barrel. Included
are many accessories, tools and cases, mostly covered in buffalo fur...The original
owner of this outfit was Charles Parker, a native of Vincennes, Vermont, before
moving West. This equipment would have been carried to the hunt in a wagon and
contained all of the tools of Parker’s trade. The condition and overall completeness
of this rig may make it unique. Collection of Jerry Castor and Andy Wall.” They also
note that the set includes “A buffalo fur-covered traveling box for the rifle, a buffalo
fur-covered knife block holding eleven knives and a sharpener, another cylindrical
knife block with six knives [one absent] and a sharpener, a nine-inch wooden
canteen, various heavy knives, an unusual buffalo-hide document case, photographs
of the hunter’s brother, buffalo skinners and a mounted buffalo head.”
CONDITION: Very good “frontier issued” appearance overall with the barrel a
mottled brown patina, mottled gray and silver-gray patina on the remaining metal
surfaces, and mild overall wear. The wood has been freshened with a coat of varnish
and has some sections absent from the edges of the forearm and below the lock,
some cracks and repairs, and scattered dings and dents overall. Mechanically fine.
The various accessories are generally good to very good for their age with some
accumulated dust, patches of lost fur, moderate wear, one buckle strap torn, aged
patina and expected swelling of the handles on the various knives and sharpeners
as well some pitting and oxidation on the blades. The photos are all good showing
some age and storage wear. Everything was cared for not only during its use, but
when it was stored thereafter. The entire set makes a fascinating display of a buffalo
hunter’s outfit. Most collectors will not even have the opportunity to see a similar
set, and they are nearly impossible to acquire.
Provenance: Buffalo Hunter Charles
Parker; The Collection of Jerry
Castor and Andy Wall;
Private Collection.
Estimate:
15,000 - 25,000
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