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LOT 1091
Very Scarce Sharps Borchardt Model 1878 Heavy Matted Barrel Deluxe Sporting Rifle in .45-110 - Serial no. 16782, 45-110 cal., 30 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, deluxe checkered walnut stock. This is an attractive and desirable example of
a Sharps Borchardt Model 1878 sporting rifle chambered for the .45-110 Sharps cartridge. The Sharps
Rifle Co. manufactured a total of 860 Model 1878 sporting rifles with octagon barrels between October
1877-October 1881, and this example has a rare matted top flat on the barrel. Most of these saw heavy
use on the Western frontier for buffalo hunting. The rifle has a matching number 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 7/8” (.45-110 Sharps) 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 deluxe fancy walnut forearm and pistol grip buttstock are checkered and have an oiled finish, with a checkered shotgun style
buttplate. The barrel is fitted with a dovetail mounted beaded blade front sight and two-position flip rear sight with 100 and 200 yard notches, and an adjustable peep sight (absent peep insert) is mounted on top of the frame.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 70% original blue finish on the barrel with scattered light freckling and brown patina, and 30% original case colors visible with scattered moderate freckling on the balance. The wood is also fine with a few nicks and scratches, and defined checkering and edges. Mechanically excellent. Peep sight insert absent.
Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
LOT 1092
Exceptional Sharps Model 1874
Bridgeport factories between 1871-1880, with only an estimated 22 Sharps Model 1874 sporting rifles
in total made with an round barrel at the Bridgeport plant, as on this example (reference page 218 of the book “Sharps Firearms” by Frank Sellers). It features a dovetail mounted blade front sight, Lawrence patent 800 yard ladder rear sight, adjustable tang mounted peep sight, double set triggers, smooth walnut forend with pewter tip, and smooth walnut buttstock with smooth steel buttplate. The top of the barrel is marked “Old Reliable” ahead of
the Bridgeport address and “CAL 45”, with “2 1/4” marked on the right of the breech. The matching serial number “156638” is marked on the upper receiver tang and underside of the barrel.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 70% original blue finish on the barrel with scattered areas of gray and brown patina on the balance, silvery gray patina
with traces of case colors visible on the casehardened surfaces and distinct markings and edges in the metal overall. The wood is also fine, with numerous scattered period scratches and dents, a few gouges on top of the comb ahead of the buttplate, and defined edges overall. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
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Sporting Rifle - Serial no. 156638, 45-70
Government cal., 28 inch heavy round bbl.,
blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The Sharps Model 1874 was
considered one of the best firearms of the late 19th century American West
and was famously used by professional buffalo hunters, pioneers, and guides. Sharps manufactured approximately 6,400 of these Model 1874 sporting rifles at the Hartford and