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LOT 3031
Scarce Documented Sharps Borchardt Model 1878 Heavy Barrel Falling Block Business Rifle in .45-70 with Factory Letter -
Serial no. 6641, 45-70 Government cal., 26 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1878, the first year of production, this is an extremely scarce example of the Sharps-Borchardt Model 1878 Business rifle. The Business rifle was only in production for about four years and was made to be a no frills all-purpose weapon. Due to being priced between the cheaper Hunter’s rifle and the more expensive Sporting rifle, with many shared features, the Business rifle was not a high seller. Reportedly 89 total were ever produced, and due to their utilitarian nature, many of that number were undoubtedly used up working on the frontier, making fine surviving examples such as this incredibly scarce. These rifles would have made an ideal weapon for protection or hunting in the American west, and at quite a reasonable price for the time. The left side of the receiver has the standard three-line Borchardt patent and three-line address. The top of the matching number heavy round barrel has the Old Reliable marking and Sharps address in front of the rear sight and “BUSINESS 45” behind the sight. The serial number is on the bottom of the receiver just in front of the trigger. It is fitted with a German silver blade front sight and folding ladder rear sight. It is mounted with a smooth Schnabel tip forearm and straight grip stock with a checkered shotgun buttplate. The included factory letter states that the rifle was invoiced on 31 July, 1878, and originally shipped to William Read & Sons of Boston, a Sharps agent at the time. It states that the rifle was noted as a Business rifle in .45 caliber with a 26 inch fully round barrel. CONDITION: Fine, showing all the signs of a western working gun, retains 40% of the original blue finish with the balance having thinned to a smooth grey patina and few scattered small patches of light pitting. The reoiled wood is very good with a sliver absent from the left upper edge of the forearm and some minor ding and scratches scattered throughout, the scars of life on the frontier. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 3032
Desirable Sharps Model 1874 Falling Block Single Shot Heavy Barrel Sporting “Buffalo Rifle” - Serial no. 158032, 45-70 cal., 30 inch
heavy octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured 1876-1881, this Sharps Model 1874 shows all the spirit of the American west
and many of the features normally associated with the “buffalo rifles” used by the commercial hunters of the period. This example shows all the utilitarian
character of the rifles such hunters preferred to get the job done. The top flat of the heavy weight barrel has the “Old Reliable” marking, single line Sharps
Bridgeport address, and the caliber marking at the breech. The bottom of the barrel has “7” and “4/16” and the matching serial number. The side of the barrel is marked “2/10” and the top
is marked “45”. The serial number is marked on the upper tang, which is also drilled and tapped for a peep sight. It is fitted with a German silver blade front sight and a folding ladder rear sight, as well as double set triggers (rear trigger mostly broken off). It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a checkered shotgun buttplate.
CONDITION: Very good, showing similar grit and resolves to the man who likely carried it on the frontier, retaining traces
of the original blue finish and otherwise mostly a dark brown patina and a few patches of dark grey patina. The wood is
good, showing the typical signs of a working gun put through the rigors of commercial hunting in the late 19th century, a
few minor cracks, some slivers absent from the forearm, a large chip at the frame juncture, and scattered minor dings and
scratches. Apart from the broken rear set trigger, mechanically excellent. A Sharps “buffalo rifle” that truly
tells the stories of its former life.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 3034
Desirable Blued Finish Remington Model 1875 Single Action Army Revolver in .44-40 W.C.F. - Serial no. 492, 44-40 WCF cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. The Remington Model 1875 Single Action Army Revolver was also known as the Improved Army or Frontier Army, and 25,000-30,000 were manufactured from 1875 to 1889 in Remington’s main attempt to compete with Colt’s Single Action Army. The Model 1875 is a classic Old West firearm that was based on Remington’s successful New Model Army, but chambered for metallic cartridges. Most Model 1875s were nickel plated, making blued examples particularly desirable. The revolver has a nickel silver blade front sight and top strap groove rear sight. The top of the barrel is stamped “E. REMINGTON & SONS. ILION. N.Y. U.S.A.” “44”, which is for 44-40 WCF caliber, is stamped on the left
40
LOT 3033
Attractive Colt First Generation Single Action Army Revolver - Serial no. 343603, 45 Long Colt cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., nickel finish, checkered grips. Few firearms are more deeply associated with the American west than the Colt Single Action Army revolver. After having been carried and trusted by outlaws, lawmen, settlers, Native Americans, miners, and cowboys for decades, the steadfast old revolvers remained a staple on the frontier which was quickly being “tamed” well into the 20th century. This example was manufactured in 1922, and has the look of a gun carried by someone who wanted to carry on that “wild west” spirit. It has the standard two-line address on top of the barrel with the caliber marking on the left. The left of the frame is marked with the two-line patent dates followed by the Rampant Colt. The matching serial number is marked on the bottom of the frame and left of the trigger guard and back strap. The assembly number “275” is marked inside the loading gate and on the rear of the frame. It is fitted with blade and groove sights and a pair of checkered grips with relief carved Rampant Colts in ovals at the tops. CONDITION: Very fine, retains 80% plus of the original nickel finish with some mild holster type wear showing a smooth grey patina and some scattered light pitting on the cylinder and ejector housing. The slightly shrunken, period custom replacement grips are also very fine with a few hairline age cracks on the butts, some light handling marks, and crisp checkering/carving. Mechanically functions fine, but is slightly out of time. Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
side of the frame at the breech. Matching serial numbers appear on the grip frame, trigger guard, and loading gate. CONDITION: Very good plus with 30% bright original blue finish. The finish is strongest on the cylinder and in the protected areas of the frame and barrel assembly. The balance has mottled gray patina and some patches of mild
oxidation/pitting. The reoiled grips are also very good and have smooth finish and mild handling wear. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000