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LOT 1036
Sharps Model 1874 Military Rifle with Very Scarce Freund Patent Sights -
Serial no. C,52628, 44-77 cal., 30 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut
stock. Only around 1,769 Model 1874 military rifles were manufactured between November 1871-March
1877 with variations in caliber, triggers, stocks, etc. This one falls in the correct C,50000+ range and has a period produced/installed Freund patent blade front sight with white bead and period Freund patent marked rear sight with
white notch, the three-line Hartford barrel address marking on top of the barrel ahead of the rear sight, “44” on top of the
barrel behind the rear sight, a plain trigger, Sharps patent marking on the left of the frame, sling swivels on the center barrel band
and bottom of the buttstock, full length walnut military forearm with steel cap, walnut buttstock with checkered wrist and silver plated brass buttplate with applied
black tar padding. Matching serial number “C,52628” marked on the underside
of the barrel, inside of the forend channel and on top of the frame.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 60% plus original blue finish on the barrel with brown patina on the balance, 70% plus vivid original case colors, with distinct markings and edges in the metal overall. Wood is also very fine with defined edges, some light scratches, and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 1037
Desirable J.P. Lower Marked Special Order Sharps Model 1874 Hartford Sporting Rifle - Serial no. C,54560, 40-70 Sharps cal.,
30 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, highly figured walnut stock. This attractive Sharps Model 1874 sporting rifle features a German
silver blade front sight, unmarked folding ladder rear sight, pewter forend cap, deluxe walnut forend and stock, attractive brass plate repairs at the
wrist with a brass buttplate, the Hartford address marked on top of the barrel ahead of the rear sight, “J.P. LOWER” retailer marking and “CALIBRE 40”
on top of the breech end of the barrel, and “2 1/4” marked upside down on the right of the breech. John P. Lower (1833-1917) of Denver, Colorado was a talented gunsmith and marksman, and was one of Sharps’ main dealers in the West. He reportedly counted Buffalo Bill Cody, Kit Carson, George and Tom Custer and many others
among his customers as well as various lesser known buffalo hunters, frontiersmen,
Native Americans, and more. Sharps manufactured approximately 6,400 Model 1874
Sporting rifles between 1871-1880. They were popular with market hunters in the
West and were well known for their ability to take down bison at long ranges. They
were also popular with long range target shooters and were used in both capacities
well after the Sharps Rifle Company closed in 1881 due to increased competition
from Winchester’s famous lever action and single shot rifles. Many Sharps rifles were
manufactured in some of the most powerful black powder cartridges ever made. The use of double set triggers and a set of cross sticks made them incredibly accurate.
The frame has the 1869 patent date on the left side, and the upper tang has the serial number. The forearm and barrel are matching serial numbered to the gun.
CONDITION: Fine with just the right amount of Western charm, retaining 60% original blue finish on the barrel with a few areas thinned to a smooth brown patina, and silvery gray patina on the action with strong traces of case colors on either side, vivid case colors visible on the protected areas of the breech block, and sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. The stock is also fine, displaying captivating grains in the deluxe walnut, some scattered light pressure dents and scratches, a few small chips at the toe, with attractive, expertly done, period brass stock repair plates on either side of the wrist of the kind that only add character to a Western gun such as this. The brass stock repair plates and brass buttplate exhibit bright and golden aged patinas, and the pewter forend cap is bright. Mechanically excellent. This desirable J.P. Lower marked Sharps Model 1874 sporting rifle, with frontier character, would make a great conversation piece in any Western firearms collection!
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 1038
Antique Black Powder Colt Single Action Army Revolver with El Paso, Texas Marked Holster Rig and Bowie Knife -
Serial no. 19718, 45 LC cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, antique ivory grips. The Colt Single Action Army was one of the most popular
handguns in late 19th century and is easily the most iconic and most thoroughly associated with the American West. This early production example was manufactured in 1875, and it certainly has the classic look of an authentic western working gun. The barrel has the one-line Hartford address on top, the frame has the two-line patent dates marking, and “45 CAL” is stamped on the left side of the trigger guard. Matching full or partial serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, and barrel. Includes a Shelton-Payne Arms Co. of El Paso Texas, leather holster rig (maker marking on front of holster) and bowie knife with leather sheath. The knife sheath is attached
to the belt. The clip point blade was likely repurposed from a period sword, measures 11 inches long, and features an etched U.S. patriotic motif with “E PLURIBUS UNUM” in a banner, brass guard, and stag handle.
CONDITION: Good, remaining in as found condition for an SAA that spent a lifetime in an inhospitable environment
with slight traces of original nickel finish in the sheltered areas of the trigger guard. The period grips show
similar working gun character and have an attractive mellow appearance and grain. Mechanically fine. The
holster rig and knife are good to very good. An SAA Texas holster rig with a lot of character.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
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