October 31, November 1st, & 2nd 2014 Hardesty Western Collection.
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/1/2014
Serial No. 8121. According to Factory ledgers, this gun was shipped as a Sporting Rifle on October 16, 1854. There are no other notations. We believe it to be factory engraved due to the quality and age but most importantly, the serial number is not standard height nor is it in the normally found position. Instead, it is smaller and placed in front of the factory original tang sight, is at an artistic flow and engraved around it indicating that it was placed there in front of the sight on purpose. The engraving encompasses the entire receiver as well as partial engraving on lever, bottom tang, breech end of barrel, trap door and butt plate. The case colors have darkened on most of the exposed areas of the receiver but are still brilliant on the lever, loading cut and in other protected areas. The release lever and double set triggers still have most of the original factory fire blue finish. The rear tang sight still has most of its original blue. The 26” octagon barrel still retains almost all of the original factory brown finish. The factory stamps on barrel are sharp as new. The walnut stocks are superb and have never been touched. The bore is strong and shiny with no frosting or corrosion. Action is as new. It gauges out at 38 caliber on the lands and 40 in the grooves. It is believed that a total of 2240 of this model were manufactured and this engraved deluxe rifle is one of the best surviving examples this writer has ever seen.