September 20th 2015 Premier Firearms Sale
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/19/2015
.36 bore with a 28" barrel. George Schoyen of Denver, Colorado was a custom gunsmith and barrel maker whose craftsmanship was on par with that of Pope and Zischang. All three were famous for making the most accurate target barrels produced during that era. A similar type rifle can be found on page 331 of the Sharps Firearms book by Sellers. George Schoyen operated his shop out of Denver, Colorado from 1872 to his death in 1916. He worked with the famous Carlos Gove in 1872 and with Axel Peterson from 1903 to 1916. The barrel on this fine target rifle was manufactured by him and is stamped on top of barrel "Geo. C. Schoyen Denver Colo.", he also fitted the custom walnut stock which features the high comb, radical drop, full brass Swiss buttplate, with fine checkering at wrist. Another feature of his custom guns was the barrel collar which butts up to the frame and which exhibits light engraving. There is a rear sight slot cut that has been filled. The front sight is a hooded globe that allows interchangeable inserts. The rear tang sight is a modern reproduction and the base is not long enough to accommodate the existing screw holes. This rifle would benefit from a proper vintage tang sight. The barrel retains approximately 90% of the original custom high polish blue finish with light freckling and some storage marks. Case colored frame has basically silvered out with some traces in hidden area. Walnut forend is sans any checkering and has the rounded tip which is typical of his style. Walnut butt stock is in excellent all original condition, proud to metal, with no cracks and sharp checkering, retaining most of its original finish. Brass buttplate is an aged mustard patina. Stock bolt still has majority of the fire blue finish. Action is perfect. Strong rifled bore. A wonderful example of the early gun maker's art by a master craftsman using a popular 1874 Sharps action in wonderful all original condition. Shipped Dec. 22, 1877 Schuyler, Hartley & Graham - .44 caliber with a 28" octagon barrel - Bridgeport. Condition shipped before work by Schoyen. CORRECTION: Caliber 38-55.