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LOT 3038
Fine Documented Early Hartford Sharps Model 1874 Fancy Sporting
Rifle with Factory Letter - Serial no. 154378, 40 cal., 30 inch
octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, fancy
walnut stock. Per the included copy of a factory letter, this Sharps Model
1874 sporting rifle was invoiced at the Hartford factory on April 29th, 1875, to
O.E. Pillard in New Britain, Connecticut (local, near the factory) in .40 caliber with a 30 inch octagon barrel, double triggers, globe and peep sights, oil finished stocks, and further states, “The weight was not listed, but the price of $47 less 15% suggests that it was a rifle of standard weight, i.e., up to 12 pounds.”The Sharps letter states Oliver E. Pillard was an employee of Stanley Works, although research has uncovered he may have instead been an employee of the New Britain bank lock company as a lock inventor and has a number of patents taken out for some very advanced designs. Old
newspaper articles show he also competed in and won some shooting competitions in the Hartford area in the mid to late 1870s, possibly with this exact Sharps rifle, including a 1st place in an August 21st, 1876 competition held by the German rifle club, and a 1st place in an “Off-Hand” match held by the Connecticut rifle association on June 29th, 1878. Per the consignor the rifle was purchased a few years ago within twenty miles of where it was originally shipped. The rifle has its rare original Sharps tang peep and globe front sights that have never been disturbed, heavier than standard barrel with the desirable Hartford collar and address, Lawrence patent notch and ladder rear sight, standard markings, pewter forend cap, and a highly figured straight buttstock with an uncommon type of Sharps factory silver plated brass buttplate (see Roy Marcot’s “Sharps Firearms”, page 151). Matching serial number “C,54378” marked on the upper tang of the receiver underneath the peep sight and on the underside of the barrel beneath the forearm. CONDITION: Fine as locally Connecticut purchased and shooting competition used, retains 90% original blue finish on the barrel with some light thinning and scattered areas of light to moderate freckling and surface corrosion characteristic of light exposure to a few Connecticut summers, 30% plus strong and vibrant case colors remain on the frame with scattered freckling and attractive New England cloudy brown patina on the balance, with sharp edges and crisp markings in the metal overall. 20% silver finish remains, concentrated at the bottom of the buttplate. Wood is also fine with captivating grains, some scattered light scratches, a large separated knot on the left of the buttstock, and defined edges. Bore is excellent. Mechanically excellent. This Sharps Model 1874, right out of the local Hartford area and a period shooting competition winner, is as fresh as they come and would make a fine addition to any antique American firearms collection! Estimate: 11,000 - 16,000
LOT 3039
Documented Antique Winchester Model 1886 Lever Action Rifle in .45-90 W.C.F. with
Factory Letter - Serial no. 82384, 45-90 WCF cal., 26 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish,
walnut stock. Manufactured in 1893. Standard two-line address and “45-90 W.C.F.” on the top of the
barrel at the breech, model designation on the upper tang, and two-line patent marking and serial number on
the lower tang. Fitted with dovetailed beaded blade front and elevation adjustable buckhorn rear sights. Mounted with
a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration (plain trigger listed twice) as well as shipment on 5 October 1893 in order number 1220.
CONDITION: Very good with classic working gun character, retaining 20% original blue finish mainly in sheltered areas and traces of the
original case colors with most having silvered and the balance a smooth grey patina and some scattered light pitting. The wood is good with numerous scattered dings, a gouge on the left side of the forend, and scratches scattered throughout. Mechanically excellent. This rifle has all of the hallmarks of a well used and well cared for Winchester Model 1886 that saw a lifetime of service. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 3040
Scarce and Desirable Newhouse No. 15 “Exposed Teeth” Bear Trap - New House No.15 Bear Trap This large bear trap weighing in
at about 17 1/2 pounds was manufactured c. 1895 to 1905 by the Sewell Newhouse firm of Oneida County, New York. He began making traps in the early 1800s, at first by using metal scraps from his father’s blacksmith shop. In 1849, Newhouse joined a religious community started by John Humphrey Noyes and continued making traps by hand. The business gradually grew until becoming a
primary manufacturing operation for the community. Their primary sellers were always smaller traps, such
as those for beaver, with reported sales in 1864 being 7,250 beaver traps compared to only 30 bear
traps, making these large game traps incredibly scarce. This is the No. 15 variation, which has the “S.
NEWHOUSE/No 15./KENWOOD.N.Y.” markings on the pan in raised lettering and the offset jaws with
exposed teeth.
CONDITION: Good, showing a rough brown patina overall with extensive oxidation, as is typical of these traps, with the markings remaining legible. Appears to be mechanically functional. These traps are very desirable and would make an excellent addition to a vintage sporting gun display!
Estimate: 1,000 - 1,600
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