Page 70 - 89-FLIPBOOK1

LOT 77
Exceptional and Scarce J.P. Lower Retailer Marked Sharps Borchardt Model 1878 Heavy Barrel Sporting Rifle in .45-110 - Serial no. 19690, 45-110 cal., 30 inch
round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This is a highly attractive and desirable example of a J.P. Lower marked Sharps Borchardt Model 1878 sporting rifle chambered for the .45-110 cartridge. The Sharps Rifle Co. manufactured a total of 750 Model 1878 sporting rifles with round
barrels between October 1877-October 1881. Most of these saw heavy use
on the western frontier for buffalo hunting, with this high condition example showing minimal signs of use. The rifle has a blued 30-inch heavy round barrel that is marked on top with “OLD RELIABLE” in script followed by “SHARPS RIFLE
CO. BRIDGEPORT. CONN.” ahead of the rear sight with retailer marking “J.P. LOWER/DENVER COL.” on top of the breech, and “CAL.45 2 7/8” (.45-110 Sharps) on the left of the breech. The barrel is fitted with a dovetail mounted Rocky Mountain
style front sight with German silver blade and a buckhorn rear sight with folding ladder. The left of the receiver is roll-stamped “SHARPS RIFLE CO. BRIDGEPORT CONN./U.S.A.” in two lines above serial number “19690” and “PAT. DEC. 1876.” The matching serial
number is marked on the barrel underneath the forearm. The receiver, breech block and lever have a casehardened finish. The walnut buttstock and forearm are uncheckered and have an oiled finish, and a checkered shotgun style
buttplate. The left of the buttstock is stamped with an encircled “LB” monogram near the buttplate. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 90% plus original blue finish on the barrel and 80% plus
original case colors with sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. The re-oiled wood is very fine with defined edges, a few light handling marks, a 2 inch pressure gouge on the right of the buttstock, and a defined stamp on the left of the buttstock. Mechanically excellent. This attractive .45-110 chambered J.P. Lower marked Sharps Borchardt rifle would be a prized piece in any early American sporting rifle collection!
Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
68
barrel equipped with a windage adjustable globe front sight with spirit level, tang mounted adjustable peep ladder rear sight, and mounted with a checkered walnut forearm with nickel plated brass forend cap, round knob checkered pistol grip on the nicely
figured buttstock with large cheekrest, and nickel plated brass Schuetzen type buttplate. “REMINGTON ARMS CO. ILION , N.Y.” marked on the top barrel flat, with the caliber designation
“38.50” (.38-50 Remington) marked on the bottom of the barrel ahead of the forearm. “HEPBURNS PAT./OCT. 7TH 1879.” marked on the left of the frame. Matching serial number “7978” marked on the underside of the barrel, rear surface of the forearm, lower tang, front surface of the buttstock and underside of the buttplate.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% original blue finish on the barrel with some streaked, once chemically cleaned areas lightly thinning to a brown, 85% vivid original case colors, 90% original niter blue finish on the small parts, a few patches of minor freckling,
and sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. Wood is excellent with attractive grains, a few scuffs visible, some light handling marks, defined edges and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. This attractive Remington-Hepburn No. 3 “B” quality match rifle would make a fine addition any early American firearms collection!
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,500
LOT 78
Remington-Hepburn No. 3 Single Shot “B” Quality Match Rifle - Serial no. 7978, 38-50 cal., 32 1/8 inch part octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, deluxe
checkered walnut Schuetzen stock. Remington-Hepburn rifles were
manufactured c. 1883-1907, with approximately less than 1,000
Match rifles made. This “B” quality match rifle features a part octagon