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LOT 77
Very Fine Sharps-Borchardt Model 1878 No. 1 Mid-
Range Rifle in .40-70 Sharps with Scarce and Desirable
Paneled Action, Factory Letter, and Box of .40-70 Ammunition - Serial
no. 6954, 40-70 Sharps cal., 30 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened
finish, walnut stock. This is one of only an estimated 215 No. 1 Mid-Range
Sharps-Borchardt rifles that were manufactured from 1877 to 1880. The
accompanying factory letter lists this No. 1 Mid-Range Sharps rifle by serial
number as invoiced at the Sharps Bridgeport factory on May 1, 1878 to
Edwin S. Harris, firearms dealer and Sharps Agent in New York City, originally
listed as being shipped in .40 caliber with the 2 1/2 inch shell, weighing 9 pounds 8 ounces, at a price of $50 net.
The factory letter also indicates that three identical No. 1 Mid-Range rifles were also sent to Harris on the same date.
This example has the desirable wood panels on the sides of the casehardened frame, and the barrel is marked “Old Reliable” in front of the
rear sight along with the Sharps Bridgeport address, with the top of the breech marked “CALIBRE 40”, and “2 1/10” marked upside down on the right of the breech, which
appears to be marked as such in factory error. The bottleneck shaped chamber accepts a .40 2 1/4 inch Sharps necked cartridge, which differs from the factory letter listing it
for 2 1/2 inch shell although it appears to be its original chambering. The matching serial number “6954” is marked on the bottom of the original barrel. The barrel is fitted with a
German silver blade front sight mounted in a dovetailed base, with a folding ladder notch rear sight. Vernier peep sight mounted in the integral base on the upper tang. The serial
number and patent date are marked on the bottom of the action behind the trigger. It is mounted with a finely figured, Schnabel tip checkered forearm and checkered pistol grip
stock with checkered hard rubber shotgun type buttplate. Includes an opened period Union Metallic Cartridge Company ammunition box containing twenty rounds of .40-70 Sharps
necked (2 1/4 inch) ammunition, a Bridgeport .40-70 priming tool numbered “1185”, a few empty shell casings and a modern metal box.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 95% original blue finish on the barrel, traces of vivid original case colors visible in protected areas, muted case colors showing on the exposed surfaces
of the breech block and lever, mostly smooth silvery gray patina on the frame with scattered light surface freckling, and sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. Wood is fine,
with scattered light dents and scratches, some light wear to the checkering on the forearm with distinct
checkering at the wrist, a small raised cracked section on top of the wrist behind the upper tang, a chip in
the front left edge of the pistol grip, and defined edges. Mechanically functions. Ammunition box is good
with mild wear.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
LOT 78
Sharps New Model 1863 Breechloading Carbine “Buffalo” Rifle Conversion in .45-70 Government by Benjamin Bigelow of
California - Serial no. 98906, 45-70 cal., 28 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Originally manufactured c. 1863-1865, like many
weapons left over from great conflicts this New Model 1863 found new life as a civilian weapon, being reconfigured from a Civil War era, .52 caliber percussion
cavalry carbine to a sporting rifle suitable for the large game of the American frontier. Having already proved their worth on the battlefields of the Civil War, large numbers of
these military rifles and carbines were converted to more modern cartridges for sale to those heading out to settle the West. The work on this 1863 was performed by Benjamin Bigelow, a gunsmith
originally hailing from Nova Scotia who was active in California c.1860-1888, a period when California was rapidly expanding due to multiple gold discoveries and as a gateway to the frontier. These Sharps rifles,
particularly, particularly in the readily available .45-70 cartridge which was the U.S. government standard at the time, were highly valued on in the American West by hunters
and settlers for their power and accuracy. Rifles such as this one are most often associated with the commercial buffalo hunting that took place during the period, bringing
the American bison to the brink of extinction. A rifle like this one would have been an excellent choice for both hunting and self defense for someone lacking the funds for
a lever action repeater or someone who placed a higher priority on stopping power and long range accuracy. The work on this 1863 was performed by Benjamin Bigelow, a
gunsmith originally hailing from Nova Scotia who was active in California c.1860-1888. German silver half moon blade front and folding ladder rear sights on the barrel, which
is marked “B. BIGELOW/MARYSVILLE” and “45 CAL” on the top flat and “70 GR.” on the right. The breech block has been fitted with a camming firing pin, with the hammer still
retaining the guide notches for the primer mechanism, the lockplate trimmed flush with the receiver with the primer mechanism filled in and the Lawrence patent markings
removed, and the saddle ring bar trimmed off on the left side. Fitted with a smooth forearm and straight wrist stock, with a smooth iron buttplate.
CONDITION: Very fine as period converted for frontier hunting duty, with 50% of the blue finish on the barrel, with a mixed brown and gray patina, edge wear, and minor
spotting and handling marks, typical of a gun that spent time in the American West. The receiver has been polished and maintained, with traces of original color on the left
side, and mild spotting on the receiver and lockplate. The stock is fine, with minor dings and scuffs. Mechanically excellent. A solid and desirable example of a California
converted Sharps Buffalo rifle!
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
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