GUN FALL 2016
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
SCARCE SHARPS MODEL 1874 SINGLE SHOT SPORTING RIFLE. SHARPS 1874 156146 46 Cal. 46. Fine sporting rifle with 30″ heavy oct bbl, hooded Beach front sight and Lawrence patent, Sharps ladder rear sight. Top flat of bbl is marked with the Bridgeport address and "Old Reliable" cartouche. Cal. marking is on top flat "CALIBRE 46". Trigger plate has dbl set triggers. Mounted with nicely figured, slab-sawed, checkered American walnut with semi-schnable forearm and straight stock with steel Sharps buttplate. SN was observed on top rear of receiver with matching number on bottom of trigger plate and lock. Forearm and bbl have similar patina and wear, but have different set of numbers. According to Sharps Firearms, Frank Sellers, there were about 3,881 Model 1874 sporting rifles produced at Bridgeport in the period 1871 to 1880. Accompanied by a Sharps Company records letter which identifies this rifle in "order book No. 2 as a Model 1874 sporting rifle invoiced at Bridgeport on April 22, 1876 to E. E. Eaton, gun and sporting goods dealer, Chicago, IL. It is described as being 44 Cal. with 30″ oct bbl, dbl triggers, open sights and oil finished stocks, but the weight was not listed, but the price of $42 less $20 plus 10% suggest that it was a rifle of standard weight i.e., up to 12-lbs." The weight of this particular gun is 13-lbs. Based on this information, bbl was upgraded along with forestock at some point in its usage. CONDITION: Very good to fine overall. Markings all clear and discernible. Bbl and forearm SNd 34974. Gun otherwise appears orig and matching. Bbl overall is mottled dark grey/brown, remainder of metal is silver/grey with scattered staining and light pitting. Stocks have hand worn patina with small cosmetic dents and dings. Rear tang screw appears replaced, retaining most of its fire blue. 50506-64 JS (6,000-10,000)