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LOT 1065
Well-Documented Sharps
Borchardt Model 1878 Overbaugh Special Hunting Rifle, Featured in “Sharps Firearms, Volume IV” -
Serial no. 20866, 45-70 cal., 30 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured c. 1878-1881. This exact rifle is pictured
on page 326 of “Sharps Firearms, Volume IV” by Marcot, Paxton, and Marron Jr. in which it is mentioned as an “Overbaugh Sharps Model 1878 Special Hunting Rifle”
and “Optional special features include the Lyman tang sight, pistol grip stock, chambered for .45 (2 7/8 inch) ammunition, and with hard rubber receiver panels.”
Elongated dovetailed bead blade installed on the matching numbered but otherwise unmarked barrel with no provision for a rear sight, with a folding peep sight
attached to integral mount lugs on the upper tang. The casehardened receiver has a set of smooth hard rubber panels on both sides, an 1876 patent date on the underside ahead of
the trigger, and an automatic safety switch. Fitted with a checkered fancy grain replacement walnut forearm (numbered “766”) and pistol grip stock, with an ebony forearm tip, hard rubber grip cap,
right handed cheekpiece, and a checkered hard rubber buttplate with Sharps Rifle Company monogram in the center.
CONDITION: Very fine, with 80% of the period refinished blue finish, showing areas of thinning to brown patina, scattered spotting, and mild wear. The frame is very fine, with strong case colors concentrated
in the protected areas, a silvered appearance to the remainder, minor spotting, and some minor scratches on the panels. The stock is also very fine, with a few scuffs and dents, some flat spots on the otherwise
sharp checkering, and minor chipping concentrated around the buttplate. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Stonewall & Tom Ramsey Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 1064
Exceptional Sharps Bridgeport
Model 1874 Mid-Range No. 1 Target
Rifle in .40-50 Sharps Necked with
Factory Letter - Serial no. 156514,
40-50 Sharps cal., 30 inch half octagon
bbl., blue/casehardened finish,
checkered walnut stock. The included factory
letter indicates this rifle was shipped on October 13,
1877, to E.S. Harris, Sharps Agent of New York City, listed as a Model
1874 Mid-Range No. 1 rifle with a 30 inch half octagon barrel in .40 caliber
using the 1 11/16 inch case, 9 1/2 pounds weight, with a net price listed
as $500.00 (possible error, may be $50.00). Only 102 Mid-Range No. 1 rifles were manufactured by Sharps between January 1876 to
November 1879, with 66 of those made at the Bridgeport factory like this example, according to production figures listed on page 230
of “Sharps Firearms” by Sellers. Sharps Model 1874 rifles were a highly valued arm on the frontier, not only due to their firepower but also
their long range accuracy. They were popular for both protection and hunting and saw widespread use throughout the turbulent American
West, with some also popularly used for target shooting. Features a dovetail mounted globe front sight with spirit level, a provision for a rear sight ladder on the barrel
(rear sight ladder is absent, with an empty threaded hole), and a Vernier tang peep sight. The top barrel flat is marked with the boxed “Old Reliable” ahead of the Sharps
Bridgeport address with “CALIBRE 40” at the breech, and “1 11/16”” upside down on the right barrel flat at the breech indicating chambering for the .40-50 Sharps necked cartridge.
The left side of the receiver is marked with the two-line Sharps 1869 patent date, and the matching serial number is marked on the upper receiver tang beneath the sight, on the left of the
tang sight, and on bottom of the barrel. It is mounted with a checkered walnut forearm and checkered pistol grip stock with a flat checkered steel buttplate.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 90% plus original blue finish with some minor finish wear at the muzzle, 60% plus original case colors, with some patches of light surface freckling, and
sharp edges in the metal overall. Wood is very fine, with tight fitment, a few minor handling marks, distinct edges, and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
Collector’s Fact
According to "Sharps Firearms" by Sellers,
only 102 Sharps Model 1874 Mid-Range
No. 1 rifles were manufactured between
January 1876 and November 1879, of which
only 66 were made at the Bridgeport factory.
As pictured & described in
Sharps Firearms, Volume IV by
Marcot, Paxton, and Marron Jr.