June 9-10, 2017 Premier Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/10/2017
After the Civil War, Sharps was left with the numerous leftover parts from their Civil War production. Like most companies, not wanting to waste any inventory, they figured out ways to use the old parts along with some newly made parts to produce breech loading cartridge single shot sporting rifles. These were done by both the factory and several outside firms such as Boker and Meacham. Sharps converted these rifles from 1879 to 1881. Most of the Sharps conversions have the regular sharps barrel markings, as does this example. This barrel is stamped "OLD RELIABLE SHARPS RIFLE CO BRIDGEPORT CONN". The Sharps style rear sight is not marked. Caliber is marked at breech just as originals. This sporting rifle is in fine condition as factory converted. Full octagon barrel retains approximately 50% original factory blue with sharp legend and edges; mixing with brown patina. The frame colors have darkened out. This rifle has been fitted with double set trigger and an appropriate lower tang. Has the standard steel buttplate. No patchbox. Left side of stock has the filler plate for the sling bar hole and has a filler plug on the left side of the frame for the opposite side of the bar. Forend even has the original Sharps style Schnabel forend tip. Fairly strong rifling and a perfect action. For all intents and purposes this is now an 1874 Sharps as rebuilt by Sharps during the hey day of the buffalo hunting era. Extremely clean, lightweight sporter in far above average condition.