November 3-4, 2017 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/4/2017
According to the factory research, this fine rifle was shipped on August 30, 1876 to the famed Kittredge & Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio, one of the most well- known of all the large Western Outfitters. Rifle was shipped with standard sporting sights, double set triggers, overall weight 10.4 lbs, a full octagon barrel and standard stocks. The long range tang sight is an original Sharps sight that can be seen on page 138 in the new Sharps Rifle book. Kittredge would have sold additional items with the rifles. In this case, he supplied the tang sight as well as a hooded globe front sight which were very popular options at the time. When tang sights were applied at the factory, they were serial numbered to the gun. Serial number will be found beneath the sight on guns where tang sights were applied outside the factory. This rifle remains in incredible condition. The barrel retains fully 95% of the original factory blue with just light wear on the razor sharp octagon flats. The barrel has the "Old Reliable" stamp in addition to "Sharps Rifle Co. Bridgeport, Conn.". The breach is stamped "Kittredge & Co. CIN. O. Calibre 44". The RS Lawrence rear ladder sight is intact and properly stamped. Case colors have basically patterned out to a soft, gray patina with visible pattern. The tang sight is brown patina. The buttplate is patterned out. The walnut stocks are excellent to near mint, proud to metal, no cracks with some extra oil added at one time. Perfect action. Strong bore with just some light black powder abrasion. Collectors will find the mid and long range eastern shipped target rifles in fine condition but rarely does a real buffalo hunting sporting rifle show up with this amount of original finish. This 1874 sporting rifle with the special order long barrel, the retailer, the condition and the Buffalo caliber, make this one of the best sporting models to survive and come to market in recent years. Sharps historical letter included.