GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
LOT OF 2 US FORAGER CARBINES: MODEL 1881 SPRINGFIELD AND NEW MODEL 1863 SHARPS WITH US SHOTGUN CARTRIDGE BELT. SPRINGFIELD, SHARPS 1881 FORAGER 20, SHARPS FORAGER 901, 63308 20 GA, 20 GA 1) Cal. 20 ga. 26" bbl. Blue and case colored finish. Straight grained American walnut stock. Bbl is unmarked. Breechblock is marked "1881". SN at rear of breechblock. Lock is marked US over Springfield in front of Springfield eagle stamp. Stock has 1885 cartouche on left side opposite hammer and circle P proof behind trigger guard. Stock is carved on right side "HM" over "X". X is also cut on left forward part of stock. 2) Cal. 20 ga. 22" bbl. Blue and case colored finish. Straight grained American walnut stocks. Bbl has shotgun front sight, rear sight hole is lead filled. Bbl has "K" "57" under forend with SN 73914 barely visible. Receiver has standard Sharps patent mark on left side. Lock has no visible mark. Lever catch has been removed from lower tang. Saddle ring has been removed. Hole in receiver is unfilled. Buttplate is model 1859 type. Very rare cartridge belt has brass clips and contains 4 20 ga brass shotgun cases. Brass clips are riveted to an unmarked harness leather belt with steel roller buckle. PROVENANCE: The Estate of G. W. "Bill" Stewart of Sonora, Texas. CONDITION: 1) Very good. Bbl is a smooth dark brown patina overall with some speckling of white paint. Bore is dark. Receiver, breechblock, lock, hammer and trigger guard are also an even gray-brown patina. Stock is very good with a Sharp cartouche on left side and a Sharp circle P behind trigger guard. Buttplate is an even brown patina with some wear on heel. 1 of only 1376 made circa 1885. 2) Very good. Bbl is even brown patina overall with clear inspector mark on left side at breech. Bore is bright. Receiver and lock are both an even gray-brown patina with clean patent mark. Hammer retains traces of orig case color. Stocks are very good with no visible marks. A couple of dents at wrist near trigger on right side and a few chips missing behind lock and upper and lower tang. Handling marks and dents overall with some speckles of white paint. 1 of very few produced. Cartridge belt is very good with crazed brown leather and all brass case clips intact. A rare opportunity to obtain a pair of extremely rare US military foragers that were issued 1 to a company for the purpose of hunting small game for the mess. 49973-64 TEP (3,000-5,000)
20 GA SHOTGUN BELT FOR FORAGERSW/ 49973/64, 65
SHARPS 1859 CONV FORAGER 63308 20 GA W/ 49973/64, 388