GUN SPRING 2018
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/21/2018
RARE SHARPS MODEL 1874 LONG RANGE NO.2 SINGLE SHOT TARGET RIFLE WITH FACTORY LETTER.SHARPS1874 LONG RANGE NO. 2 TARGET15636345-100-2 4/10Cal. 45-100-2.4" Sharps. Beautiful Sharps target rifle with 34" oct to rnd bbl, Spirit level windgage globe front sight. Axtell vernier tang sight with 4-3/4"; staff, numbered to this rifle. Top flat of bbl has the "OLD RELIABLE" cartouche and "BRIDGEPORT" address. The bbl is numbered on the bottom "158176" while all other parts are numbered to the rifle except the lockplate & forearm on which no number could be found. Mounted with nicely figured, checkered American walnut with semi-schnable tipped forearm and pistol grip stock with checkered grip cap and Sharps checkered steel buttplate. Accompanied by a Sharps Armory letter fully identifying this rifle which states that it was invoiced at the Bridgeport Factory on May 3, 1876 to Dr. C.M. Carlton of 27 Broad Street, Norwich, CT and that it was equipped with a spirit level front sight. It was initially chambered for the 44-90-2.5/8″ cartridge. Dr. Carlton returned the rifle to the factory on Oct. 24, 1877 where it was fitted with a new bbl in the new chambering of 45-100-2.4" and was returned to him on Nov. 8, 1877. According to the letter, the entry for the return does not show the serial number of the new barrel "but the serial number of the barrel now on the receiver, #158176, is a blank in the index of serial numbers, that, according to Dr. Labowskie, owner of the Sharps records, this indicates that a previously numbered barrel was taken from stock and fitted to the receiver of Carlton's rifle." The letter further states that this rifle with its mixed serial numbers "constitutes a factory-original Model 1874 Long Range Rifle No. 2". Also accompanying the Sharps records letters are 4 letters from Dr.Carlton to the Sharps Rifle Co dated between Oct. 17 & Nov. 10, 1877. These letters deal with Dr. Carlson's ordering the changing of the bbl on this rifle. Dr. Labowskie in the final paragraph of one of the letters states that Dr.Carlton was the President of the Norwich, CT rifle club and in the other letter stated that he did not achieve national reputation as a marksman. Accompanied by a fine case by Americase that is 58" length X 11 width X 5 1/4 in depth. Case has 4 latches with padlock hasp and 3 carry handles with wheels on end. Case is foam lined with a rubber weather seal. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching except bbl, forearm & lock plate as noted above. Professionally refinished with rear slot blank filled. Bbl retains 97-98% strong factory style blue. Receiver, lever & lockplate retain most of their orig factory case colors, moderately faded, bright & strong in sheltered areas. Wood is sound with light handling & use marks and light cloth patterns in the varnish and retains most of its fine orig hand rubbed oil finish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. 52396-1 JRL (10,000-12,500)