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LOT 1093
Very Fine and Scarce Sharps Borchardt Model 1878 Sporting Rifle - Serial no. 6632, 40 Sharps cal., 26 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This rifle, serial number 6632, is consecutively serial numbered to Lot 79, serial number 6633, also in this auction. This is an attractive and desirable example of a Sharps Borchardt Model 1878 sporting rifle chambered for the .40 Sharps bottlenecked 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. The rifle has a blued 26-inch round barrel that is marked “OLD RELIABLE” in script followed by “SHARPS RIFLE CO. BRIDGEPORT,
CONN.” ahead of the rear sight, “CALIBRE 40” on top of the breech, and “1 1/16” on the right of the breech (should be 1 11/16, factory error). 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
inside the forearm channel. The receiver, breech block and lever have a casehardened finish. The walnut buttstock and
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forearm are uncheckered and have an oiled finish, with a checkered shotgun style buttplate. The barrel is fitted with a dovetail mounted blade front sight and folding ladder rear sight. CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% plus original blue finish and strong patterns of original case colors visible in protected areas with mostly smooth gray patina on the exposed casehardened surfaces, some marring on the pins on either side of the receiver, and sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. The wood is also very fine with some scattered light dents and scratches, and defined edges overall. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000
LOT 1094
Scarce Sharps Model 1853 Slant Breech Percussion Saddle Ring Carbine - Serial no. 10936, 52 cal., 21 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This model was manufactured from 1854 to 1857 and is famous as the model used by John Brown and his band of abolitionists in Kansas and during the famous raid on Harper’s Ferry. They are also known as “Beecher’s Bibles” after noted minister Henry Ward Beecher was quoted in the “N.Y. Tribune” of February 1856 stating there was more moral power in one Sharps carbine than 100 Bibles. The top of the barrel is marked “SHARP’S RIFLE/MANUFg. CO./HARTFORD CONN.” in three lines ahead of the rear sight. The upper receiver tang is marked “SHARPS/PATENT/1848” followed by the serial number, and the lock is marked “SHARP’S/ PATENT/1852”. Brass blade front and period replacement buckhorn notch rear sight. Saddle bar and ring mounted on the left. Mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with brass patch box and carbine buttplate. Matching serial number “10936” marked on the upper receiver tang and underneath the barrel. Includes five lead balls residing inside the patchbox. CONDITION: Good, the blue and casehardened iron surfaces showing mostly a bright appearance with scattered patches of light pitting/corrosion, strong niter blue finish visible on the sliding primer door, and defined markings in the metal. The brass exhibits a bright patina. The wood is also good, with numerous scattered scratches and dents, a chipped section at the toe, a re-glued chipped section ahead of the buttplate tang, and general wear. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 1095 Scarce and Desirable C. Sharps & Co. Single Shot Percussion Pistol Rifle - Serial no. 367, 38 cal., 27 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Only approximately 550 of these standard model pistol rifles were manufactured by C. Sharps & Co. of Philadelphia circa 1857-1860. These use the same action as the Sharps breech loading single shot pistol. The falling block action is designed for the “mule ear” cartridge and is fitted with a pellet priming device (absent components). Serial number “367” is stamped on the upper tang and inside of the breech lever. Dovetail mounted German silver blade front sight and folding rear sight. Mounted with a smooth walnut forearm with iron tip, and pistol grip stock with iron grip cap, patch box, and buttplate. Little is actually known about these pistol rifles, but they are very hard to find, especially in decent condition. Several were modified to pistols, and many others were undoubtedly destroyed. CONDITION: Good, with artificially aged brown, gray and blue patinas overall, repaired splits visible in the metal at the upper and lower tangs, a professionally made modern replacement front sight, professionally made modern replacement breech block retaining pin, and some light pitting visible on the frame. The wood is also good with numerous scattered scratches and dents, some scattered cracks and a few discreet re-glued and filled in repairs at the edges. Absent primer feed mechanism components, otherwise mechanically fine. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 1096
Scarce Sharps Model 1852 Slant Breech Military Style Percussion Sporting Carbine -
Serial no. 6794, 44 cal., 21 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Co. offered a version similar in appearance to the Model 1852 Military Carbine for the civilian market in late 1853 or early 1854. These are typically without a sling ring bar and in various calibers other than the standard Military chambering. This example is chambered in “60 bore” (.44/.427 caliber), one of the offered calibers, with deep six groove rifling. Top breech end of the barrel marked “SHARP’S RIFLE/MANUFg CO./HARTFORD, CONN.”, back of the frame marked “C. SHARPS/ PATENT/1848” ahead of the serial number, and “C. SHARPS’/PATENT./1852.” on the lock plate. Brass blade front and Lawrence patent 800 yard ladder rear sight. Matching serial number “6794” marked underneath the barrel and inside the forearm channel. Fitted with a brass barrel band, patch box, and buttplate. Appears to be factory drilled and tapped for a rear tang sight, although one is not present. CONDITION: Fine, retains 60% original blue finish on the barrel, traces of case colors visible in the protected area of the lever with smooth gray patina on the balance of the casehardened surfaces, and the sling swivels retain most of a period applied gold finish. The period refinished wood is very good, with scattered scratches and nicks, and a varnished over chip visible in the forearm ahead of the lever. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250