April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2019
The sporting rifle was produced from 1854-1859 in three calibers with barrels from 24 - 34 inches. A mere 600 were manufactured with round barrels. They featured iron furniture, round barrel, case hardened action and furniture, and oil finish stocks. These are often referred to as the slant breech because of the distinctive frame. Barrel has the Sharps Rifle, Hartford barrel stamp, razor sharp. Has the early pre-Lawrence long range rear sight. Tang is mounted with an early lollipop style sharps patent on upper tang and right side of frame. Features double set triggers, walnut stock, with right side patchbox and a single swivel on lower tang. CONDITION: All metal is a pleasing, smooth brown patina with sharp lettering. Has a pewter forend tip. Wood is very good to excellent with usual dings and one 1/4" chip on left side of forend. The action is fine and a strong, well defined rifle bore. A very good, untouched, honest example of a scarce round barrel 1853 Sharps sporting rifle and the first Sharps sporting rifles offered. They are often overshadowed by the popular Model 1874, but there are the rifles that started the dynasty, with the military version known as the John Brown rifle.