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LOT 31
Freund & Bro. Marked Sharps Model 1874 Rifle - Serial no. 155741, 44 cal., 25 1/4 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Like many in the American firearms industry in the 18th and 19th centuries, the Freund brothers Frank W. and George were German immigrants. They had various temporary shop locations as they followed the Union Pacific westward and established
more permanent shops in Denver, Colorado, and Cheyenne, Wyoming, where they regularly modified firearms, particularly Sharps rifles, to fit their customer’s needs. They sold rifles to the likes of generals Philip Sheridan and George Cook and Theodore Roosevelt. In addition to mechanical alterations and creating new configurations, the Freunds also designed new sights. This early Model 1874 rifle from the Hartford factory has a blade front sight and unique Freund improved Lawrence patent rear sight with improved notches. The barrel, which was shortened during the period of use, likely at a Freund shop, has the Sharps Hartford address ahead of the rear sight (partially covered), “FREUND & BRO.” at an angle and “CALIBRE 44” on top at the breech. The bottom of the barrel is marked “S155741” and the inside of the forend has “155741”, which is repeated on the upper tang. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock. The rifle in the West prior to the famous Battle of Little Bighorn when the region was still contested and conflicts with Native Americans as well as other settlers and outlaws remained part of life. Sharps rifles were preferred by many in the West because they could reliably take game and be used in defense at longer ranges. CONDITION: Very good, retains 40% of the dull retailer applied blue finish on the barrel with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth brown patina and the receiver shows a mixture of grey patina and silvered case colors, typical of a western shipped rifle such as this. The refinished wood is also very good with mild wear on the forearm and some scattered light handling marks, but also the evidence of period maintenance that would be expected from someone entrusting their life to this rifle. Mechanically excellent. A western shipped rifle with Freund Bros. improvements that are as desirable now as they were on the frontier! Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 32
Desirable, Early Production, Freund & Bro. Marked Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action Rifle with Henry Patent Barrel Marking - Serial no. 19555, 44 cal., 24 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. The
story of the Freund brothers as gunsmiths traced its path westward much like the expanding railways and settlers seeking opportunity, as they set up temporary shops along their route. Eventually the brothers settled permanently, with shops in Denver, Colorado and Cheyenne, Wyoming. From those two shops they became known for retailing and improving mostly single shot rifles, particularly the Sharps Model 1874, making a repeater with their markings quite scarce. It is possible that this rifle was simply retailed or repaired in a Freund shop, and had their marking added at that time. Manufactured in 1868 with the Second Model receiver. The octagon barrel has the first style marking “HENRY’S PATENT OCT. 16. 1860/ KING’S-PATENT-MARCH 29. 1866” in two lines ahead of the rear sight and “FREUND & BRO” between the rear sight and the receiver on the breech. The serial number “19555” is stamped on the left side of the lower tang following “VR” and covered by the stock. The serial number is repeated in the stock inlet and inside the buttplate. It is fitted with a blade front sight and the standard Henry style folding ladder rear sight, as well as a sling swivel on the brass forearm cap and on the bottom of the buttstock. The brass receiver has an indented loading port cover that is retained by a single screw and the hammer does not have a half-cock notch and has borderless knurling on the spur. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate featuring the sharply pointed heel and hinged trapdoor that contains a four-piece cleaning rod. CONDITION: Very good, with the iron components showing mostly a mixed grey patina and the balance an mellow, attractively aged brass, having the look of a rifle that spent significant time on the western frontier. The wood
is also fine with some minor dings and scratches scattered throughout, but evidence of being cared for, as is typical of a working rifle. Mechanically excellent. A Winchester Model 1866 that looks like it could tell you “how the
west was won”!
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 33
Desirable Documented Nickel Plated Colt Black Powder Etched Panel Frontier Six Shooter Single Action Army Revolver with Pearl Grips and Factory Letter - Serial no. 108773, 44 WCF cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, pearl grips. The accompanying factory letter confirms the 7 1/2 inch barrel in .44-40 caliber and nickel plating (type of stocks not listed). The letter also states the revolver was shipped on May 9, 1884 to Simmons Hardware Co., St. Louis, Missouri. This was a 25 gun shipment. The barrel is stamped with the one-line Hartford address on top and features the desirable etched panel (“COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER”) on the left side. The underside of the barrel has the correct caliber designation “44” in small font. The left side of the frame has the three-line patent dates marking. The left
side of the trigger guard is marked “44 CF.” Fitted with a set of attractive pearl grips.
CONDITION: Very good as showing great working gun character, retaining 40% heavily flaked nickel plating with
a smooth gray patina on the balance and numerous spots of deep heavily cleaned pitting. The etched panel is faint. The replacement pearl grips are fine with a couple tiny chips, a repair towards the bottom (right panel), and attractive fiery colors. Mechanically excellent. Certainly has the authentic look of a period used factory nickel plated black powder SAA in desirable .44 WCF!
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
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