Page 64 - Auction84-Book1

LOT 93
Desirable Sharps Model 1874 Sporting Rifle with James Brown & Son Marked Barrel - Serial no. 156641, 45-90 cal., 33 inch octagon bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, walnut stock. According to “Sharps Firearms” by Frank Sellers, Sharps only manufactured approximately 6,400 of these Sporting Rifles
between 1871 to 1880. This example is fitted with a 33 inch, heavy, octagon barrel chambered for .45-90 ammunition and equipped with original German silver
blade front and Lawrence patent folding ladder rear sights. The top barrel flat behind the rear sight is marked “JAMES BOWN & SON/PITTSBURGH PA.” The left side of the receiver is marked
with the two-line Sharps 1869 patent date, and the serial number is marked on the upper tang. It also features double set triggers and casehardened parts aside from the blued barrel, and is mounted with a smooth walnut forearm numbered to the gun and straight grip stock with a steel buttplate. The Enterprise Gun Works was founded by James Bown and Tetley in 1848. By 1863, Brown was the sole owner. The name changed to James Brown & Son by the mid-1870s and then James Brown & Sons around 1883 and then changed to Brown & Hirth that same year placing the barrel marking date in the mid-1870s to early 1880s. The firm was well-known for hand built Kentucky rifles that were relatively inexpensive and popular with those headed to the West, and they
also retailed arms by Colt and other manufacturers.
CONDITION: Very good. The barrel has a smooth brown patina. The remaining metal surfaces have a smooth mottled gray and silver gray patina with some traces of the faded original case colors in the protected areas. The wood is good with an old repaired break in the wrist, a large piece absent from the upper front right of the forearm and overall some scattered minor dents and dings. The stock remains solid. The markings are clear. The action is excellent.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 94 Very Scarce “Panel Side” Sharps Model 1878 Borchardt Short Range Rifle - Serial no. 17063, 40 2 1/2” cal., 26 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. These Short Range target rifles with panel sided action are very scarce. Only 153 are estimated to have been manufactured per Frank Sellers in “Sharps Firearms” on page 275. It has a modern combination blade and globe front sight, “Old Reliable” and the Sharps Bridgeport address marked on top of the barrel, “CAL. 40 2 1/2” marked on the left side of the barrel near the breech, checkered Schnabel forearm, modern ladder peep sight mounted on the integral base of the upper tang, checkered pistol grip stock with hard rubber grip cap, and a checkered hard rubber buttplate. The bottom of the barrel is marked “LLL” ahead of “17063” in front of the lug. The matching serial number “17063” is also marked on the tail of the forearm and bottom of the action. CONDITION: Good as turned to a gray patina overall with scattered light spotting and light pitting. Wood is very good as recheckered with scattered scratches and dents, a few chips, some light crazing, and nice checkering. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 95
Buffalo Skinning Style Knife and Brass Tack Decorated Sheath Pictured in the Books “The Peacemakers” by R.L. Wilson and “Early Knives & Beaded Sheaths of the American Frontier” by John Baldwin - This interesting knife and sheath combo is pictured on p. 10 of the book “The Peacemakers: Arms and Adventure in the American West” by R.L. Wilson. It is picture alongside five tomahawks, a club, and three other knives that Wilson attributes as Native American weapons. The knife is
also pictured and identified on pages 30 and 32 of the book “Early Knives & Beaded Sheaths of the American Frontier” by John Baldwin. The full tang knife appears
unmarked with an overall length of 13 1/4 inches, an 8 inch blade, and wood grip scales secured with brass rivets. The leather sheath has been extensively decorated with brass tacks. Per consignor the knife was formerly of the famed Norm Flayderman collection. CONDITION: The knife is fair, the blade showing a dark patina and wear and only come from years of hard use on the plains. The grip scales are equally weathered having
been wielded repeatedly, likely as both a tool and a weapon. The sheath is good with an attractive weathered look, torn belt loop, and the
brass tacks having an attractive aged patina.
A knife full of Wild West character!
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
AS PICTURED IN THE BOOK THE PEACEMAKERS BY WILSON
62