Page 75 - 4095-BOOK2

73
LOT 1070
Desirable California Shipped “Frontier Issued” Sharps Model 1874 “Big 50” Single Shot “Buffalo” Rifle with Scarce Half Octagon
Barrel - Serial no. 156001, 50-70 U.S. Govt cal., 30 inch heavy part octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1876, this is a
California shipped Sharps Model 1874 “big 50” rifle that proudly wears the evidence of its hardships on full display. The Sharps rifles were a workhorse of
the frontier delivering for their owners unwavering reliability, impressive long range accuracy, and nearly unmatched firepower, all attributes that made them
a treasured companion by all who carried them into the untamed wilds of the American West. While the Winchester 1873 is often referred to as “the gun that won the West”, there were
many things it didn’t excel at, a couple of the those being long range accuracy and stopping power, both of which were a side effect of the pistol cartridges that it chambered. There was also, of
course, the complexity of its action, which could be difficult to repair if broken in the great unsettled West. This left an opening for a rifle that was simple and durable, was accurate at long range, and could
chamber powerful cartridges capable of stopping any danger west of the Mississippi. The Sharps Model 1874 checked all these boxes and besides its common nickname of “Old Reliable”, could reasonably be called
“the rifle that fed the west” or “the rifle that protected the west”. These powerful Sharps rifles were very popular among settlers and hunters for putting food on tables, and particularly popular among commercial bison
hunters. This particular example is one of only 190 produced with a part octagon barrel at the Hartford factory and is in the very desirable .50 caliber. The factory ledgers list the rifle on 24 February 1876, as a sporting rifle with a
30 inch half octagon barrel in .50 caliber and with a double trigger when shipped to N. Curry & Bro. in San Francisco, California, who was a large supplier and retailer of sporting goods and frontier supplies in the city. It is clear that
this rifle was shipped directly to the West and spent its working years there. The top of the barrel has the one-line Hartford address and the caliber marking at the breech. The Sharps patent marking is on the left of the action. The
serial number is on the upper tang as well as on the bottom of the barrel. It is fitted with a German silver blade front sight (mounted backwards during the period of use), a Lawrence patent folding ladder rear sight, and double set
triggers. There are empty holes in the bottom of the barrel and the buttstock which once held sling swivels. It is mounted with a smooth forearm with no end cap and a period brass plate repair, as well as a straight grip stock and a
smooth iron rifle buttplate.
CONDITION: Good, having shouldered the burden of life on the frontier, the metal showing a mix of brown and grey patina, and some scattered patches of light pitting, typical of a western working gun. The weathered wood shows
the scars of the harsh environment it faced, wearing them proudly for all to see, including the period repair which continued its service. Mechanically functions. A Sharps Model 1874 rifle that carries an aura of the American West
that can be seen and felt!
Estimate: 8,000 - 13,000
LOT 1071
Antique Colt Single Action Army Revolver - Serial no. 39630,
45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened
finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1877, the fourth year of
production, this is a solid representative example of Colt’s Single Action Army. These
revolvers often saw many years of hard use in the unforgiving climate of the western
frontier, with this example exhibiting desirable honest frontier character. This Single
Action Army has a story to tell! When this example was made, much of the American
West remained very much “wild.” The Single Action Army forged its legacy as a powerful
and dependable sidearm, not only for military men, but for settlers, lawmen, outlaws,
Native Americans, miners, and ranchers alike. The top of the barrel is marked with the
one-line Colt Hartford address. The left side of the frame has the three-line patent date
markings. “45 CAL” caliber marking on the left rear of the trigger guard. Full matching
visible serial number on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, and back strap, with the
matching partial serial number on the cylinder. Assembly number “3208” marked on the
loading gate. The ejector rod features the early type “bullseye” end. It is fitted with the
standard blade front and frame-top groove rear sights, and a walnut grip.
CONDITION: Good, retains strong traces of blue in the protected areas, displaying gray
and brown patina on the balance with wear associated with a well-traveled “frontier
issued” sidearm, with some light pitting, and legible markings. Grip is also good with
characteristic mild western wear. Mechanically functions.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 1072
Interesting Carved Early “Slim Jim”/”California” Pattern Holster with Rare Mills-Type Web
Cartridge Belt - Manufactured c. the 1870s, this is an attractive example of a “Slim Jim” or “California”
pattern holster, a style which was popular during the percussion era, conversion era, and into the
early years after the introduction of the Colt Single Action Army on the frontier. This style of holster
remained popular in the American West with the Single Action Army before being slowly phased out
by the later “Mexican loop” styles. This example was attractively hand-carved with borders and floral
motifs, quite possibly by the original owner. The holster is configured for a right handed shooter and will
accommodate a 7 1/2 inch barreled Single Action Army revolver or similar cartridge conversion revolver.
The holster is paired with a very interesting and rarely seen Mills-type web canvas cartridge belt with a
single row of .44/.45 caliber sized cartridge loops. The heavy belting leather billets on this example are
particularly rare, one of which is marked “44”, and it is fitted with an early type roller buckle. The belt
measures 2 7/8 inches wide and approximately 41 1/2 inches long including the billet.
CONDITION: The holster is very good with period “folk art” type carving, moderate wear, and some age-
related cracking. The belt is also very good with some mild staining and wear, and the leather billets
having some mild age-related cracking. A rarely seen early “Slim Jim” pattern holster rig!
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000