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According to "Sharps Firearms: The Percussion Era 1848-1865" by Marcot, Paxton and Marron Jr., only 149 engraved Sharps Model 1853 Octagon Barrel Sporting Rifles were produced, of which only 55 were "extra fine" engraved.
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LOT 76
Exceptional and Rare Factory Panel Scene Engraved Sharps Model 1853 Sporting Rifle with Documentation from Renowned Sharps Expert Frank Sellers and Presentation Case - Serial no. 8218, 60 Bore cal., 26 inch octagon bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, walnut stock. This is an exceptionally rare, very fine example of a Sharps Model 1853 sporting rifle that was manufactured by the Sharps Rifle Co. in Hartford, Conn., with a letter of authentication from renowned Sharps expert and author Frank Sellers. Mr. Sellers writes that the 60 bore (46 caliber) rifle was shipped on June 30, 1855, “with extra fine engraving.” Sellers adds, “This is the fourth grade of engraving with only one being better. There were five extra fine engraved guns in this shipment.” A similar type of engraving is pictured in Sellers’ book “Sharps Firearms” on page 51. These early rifles are extremely rare and in the “Sharps Rifle” book it lists only 2,970 of the slant breech models ever produced and only 200 total ever produced with factory engraving in all calibers and coverages. Engraved Sharps Model 1853 rifles are also discussed in “Sharps Firearms: The Percussion Era” on pages 235-251, including a reference to this rifle. The authors note that in Dr. Richard J. Labowskie’s original Sharps factory records he has located 149 engraved octagon barrel sporting rifles with 26 part-engraved, 10 engraved, 58 fine engraved, and 55 extra fine engraved. This rifle would rank in the extra fine engraved category.
The engraving on this rifle is an extraordinary scroll pattern overall that covers the receiver, upper tang, lever, buttplate tang (with a rosette surrounding the head screw near the toe), patch box, and barrel at the breech. A band of engraving is at the muzzle. The left side of the receiver and patch box have game scene engravings. The left side of the buttstock has an inlaid silver shield with a presentation inscription dated 1873. The octagon barrel is marked on top of the barrel “SHARPS RIFLE MANUF CO. HARTFORD CONN.” on the top flat, and the side of the lock plate is marked “SHARPS PATENT 1852”. The top of the tang is marked with the serial number. It has double set triggers, blade front sight, ladder rear sight and tang peep sight. The straight grip stock has a pewter nose cap on the forend and a patch box on the right side. The partitioned case is lined in red velvet and contains the following accessories: cleaning rod with bore brush attachment, double cavity bullet mold, and Sharps cap tin (empty).