June 25-28, 2018 Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/25/2018
Full octagon barrel is marked "SHARPS RIFLE CO BRIDGEPORT, CONN." Caliber is at rear. Original barrel dovetails are fitted with bases for 31-1/2" Malcolm telescopic sight which has V-notch and gold bead front sights attached on top to aid regulation. Case hardened falling block action with six digit serial number is marked with company name and April 6th, 1869 patent date on left side. Base for Vernier rear is screwed to top tang. Serial number matches this rifle. Nicely figured American walnut pistol grip stock with coarsely checkered steel buttplate. Grip is checkered in modified point pattern. Bottom of grip is also checkered. A vacant, shaped rectangular presentation plaque is on left side. Matching schnabeled forend has checkered panel behind Schnabel. Excellent plus. Barrel retains over 95% original blue with some high edge wear. Some scattered flecking and browning are toward muzzle on left side. Action retains 90-95% original case hardening color, most loss on operating lever which has some brown patches. There are also some brown stains on hammer and bottom tang. Stocks retain nearly all of their French polish finish with a few minor nicks and dings. Bore is excellent, bright and shiny with strong, sharp rifling throughout. Scope retains approximately 85% blue with cleaned and pitted patches, mostly at rear. Optics are clouded but in working order. Weight: 10 lbs 9 oz. A scarce Sharps rifle with estimated production of 102. Factory letter states this Midrange No. 1 in caliber .40 - 1-11/16 was shipped with a full octagon barrel on September 3rd, 1877 to W.W. Skitty, president of Stanford Rifle Club; no price listed and sights not listed.
Caliber/Bore
.40 - 1-11/16 (.40-50 Sharps)