Page 68 - 89-FLIPBOOK2

LOT 1088
Exceptional and Scarce Sharps Borchardt Model 1878 Octagon Barrel Sporting Rifle in .45-70 - Serial no. 17310,
45-70 Government cal., 30 inch octagon bbl.,
blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This is an attractive and desirable example of a Sharps Borchardt Model 1878 sporting rifle chambered
66
for the .45-70 cartridge. The Sharps Rifle Co.
manufactured a total of 860 Model 1878 sporting
rifles with octagon barrels between October 1877-October 1881. Most of these saw
heavy use on the Western frontier for buffalo hunting, with this high condition example having seen very little use. The rifle has a blued 30-inch heavy octagon barrel that is marked on
top with “OLD RELIABLE” in script followed by “SHARPS RIFLE CO. BRIDGEPORT. CONN.” ahead of the rear sight, and “CAL.45 2 1/10” (.45-70 Government) on the left of the breech. The left of the receiver is roll-stamped “BORCHARDT PATENT/SHARPS RIFLE CO. BRIDGEPORT
CONN./U.S.A.” in three lines. The matching serial number is marked on the bottom of the receiver, barrel underneath the forearm, and on the rear flat of the forearm. The receiver, breech block, and lever have a
casehardened finish. The walnut buttstock and forearm are uncheckered and have an oiled finish, with a checkered shotgun style buttplate. The barrel is fitted with a dovetail mounted flip-up Beach style front sight and
R.S. Lawrence patent folding ladder rear sight.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 90% original blue finish on the barrel and 75% original case colors with some
slight fading and smooth gray patina on the balance along with some light freckling, and sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. The wood is very fine with numerous scattered scratches and light dings, and otherwise defined edges. Mechanically excellent. This attractive .45-70 chambered Sharps Borchardt rifle would make a fine addition to any early American sporting rifle collection!
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 1089
Unique and Desirable “W.R.A. Co” Inscribed Sharps Borchardt Model 1878 Sporting Rifle - Serial no. 17864, 40 Sharps cal., 26 inch
round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This is an attractive and desirable example of a Sharps Borchardt Model 1878 sporting rifle chambered for the
.40-50 Sharps straight 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, although this example appears to be a special case in that it is period inscribed in fancy scrip with “W.R.A. Co.”
on the right of the frame, and “W.R.A. Co.” and “40/50 Sharps Straight” on top of the barrel. Consignor notes indicate this is a Winchester ammunition test gun. The rifle has a blued 26-inch round barrel that is also marked with its standard markings on top with “OLD RELIABLE” in script followed by “SHARPS RIFLE CO. BRIDGEPORT, CONN.” ahead of the rear sight, and “CAL. 40 1 7/8” on the left of the breech. The matching serial number “17864” is marked on the bottom of the receiver and barrel underneath the forearm. “9779” marked on the rear flat of the forearm. All blue finish on the metal components. The walnut buttstock and forearm are uncheckered and have an oiled finish, with a checkered shotgun style buttplate. The barrel is fitted with a dovetail mounted Lyman beaded blade front sight and folding ladder rear sight. CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 95% Winchester applied factory blue finish with some mild corrosion/pitting visible on the rear sight, and crisp inscriptions. The wood is fine as lightly sanded and re-oiled, with some areas slightly undersized around the edges, and otherwise defined figure. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 1090
Remington-Hepburn No. 3 Single Shot Heavy Barrel Sporting Rifle with Double Set Triggers - Serial no. 4041, 40 cal., 30 1/4 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. These rifles were manufactured beginning in 1883, but the low serial number and “E. REMINGTON & SONS. ILION. N.Y.” address on the barrel indicates this rifle was manufactured prior to 1888, when the company was reorganized as Remington Arms Co. The barrel is equipped with a modern spirit level windage adjustable globe front sight and adjustable buckhorn rear sight, and a modern ladder peep sight is mounted on the upper frame tang. The caliber designation “40.2 1/2” is marked on the bottom of the barrel ahead of the forearm, with the “2 1/2” over top of a previous “1 7/8”. It has been rechambered, and was found to chamber a .40-70 Ballard cartridge. Features double set triggers. “HEPBURNS PAT./OCT. 7TH 1879.” marked on the left of the frame. Matching serial number “4041” marked on the underside of the barrel, rear surface of the forend, front surface of the buttstock, on the lower tang and underside of the buttplate. Mounted with a smooth walnut forend with casehardened forend cap, nicely figured round knob checkered pistol grip stock, and casehardened buttplate. CONDITION: Very good, retains 40% original blue finish on the barrel with smooth brown patina on the balance, the casehardened frame surfaces exhibit a silvery gray patina, with strong niter blue finish visible on the breech block and traces of niter blue finish on the other small parts. The wood is very fine with a few light handling marks and defined edges and checkering. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000