GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
RARE EARLY SHARPS NO 1 CREEDMOOR LONG-RANGE SINGLE SHOT TARGET RIFLE.SHARPSCREEDMOORC5415940-90 SHARPS BOTTLENECKCal. 40-90. SHARPS BOTTLENECK Fine early rifle produced before the "1874" model designation was applied to the Sharps. This rifle has 32" oct bbl, windgage spirit level front sight, no provision for a rear sight and has a matching numbered Sharps Vernier tang sight with 5'' staff. Top flat of bbl is marked with the Hartford address and Cal. marking over the chamber area. Mounted with very nicely figured American walnut with checkered Sharps forearm that has engraved, rnd pewter tip & pistol grip stock with checkered steel Sharps buttplate. Stock has a flat grip cap. Heel of buttstock is aftermarket mounted with a Winchester-style, thick base Vernier sight with 5-1/2" staff. Matching SN was observed on top tang, under tang sight, bottom of bbl, inside forearm on the lockplate & trigger plate. Buttstock is numbered "54364" on front face and buttplate & grip cap is matching numbered to the buttstock. Accompanied by a Sharps factory records letter which identifies this rifle as having been found in order book no. 1 and that it is a No. 1 Creedmoor Rifle invoiced at Hartford on April 12, 1875 to Schuyler, Hartley & Graham, NY, NY. The record states that this rifle was in Cal. 44 2-5/8" with 32" oct bbl. Dr. Richard Labowskie is the current owner of the Sharps records and he states that this rifle has been in his personal collection since 1976 when it was purchased from Capt Avery Young, USN, Dir. of the Service Life Extension Program for Nautilus Class Submarines, of Crystal City, VA. He states that this rifle had descendent in the Wright and Young families of Norwalk, CT. At the time of purchase, it had been in a bank vault storage for 37 years and was unknown until Capt. Young''s father passed away when the bank called him following his father''s death. Also accompanied by a beautiful, extremely well made, red felt lined walnut case, custom fitted to this rifle. Case has brass hinges and English style swinging latches and a mortised lock with functioning key. Case orig had leather carrying handles which have deteriorated and broken. Case also contains an orig wooden, brass-tip cleaning rod. Weight 10lbs 4oz. According to Sharps Firearms, Sellers, there were 134 No. 1 Creedmoor rifles produced Mar 1874 to Dec 1875. PROVENANCE: Dr. Richard Labowskie Collection. CONDITION: Very fine, numbered parts as noted above. Bbl retains about 70% strong orig blue with a cleaned area over the forearm. It appears that a previous owner may have attempted to dull the finish in that area to prevent glare. Receiver, lockplate, hammer & lever retain most of their orig case colors, strong & bright in sheltered areas; moderately faded elsewhere. Buttplate is grey metal patina & grip cap shows strong, bright case colors. Stock has several drilled holes under the buttplate, apparently to lighten the weight for Creedmoor shooting which allows a maximum of 10lbs for an official rifle. Wood is sound with a few, scattered, very minor nicks & scratches and retains virtually all of its orig factory finish, slightly crazed. Mechanics are crisp. Very bright, shiny bore. Case is very fine with a few light nicks & scratches. Lining is moderately to heavily faded with moderate mothing. 49395-1 JR (25,000-35,000)