April 11-13, 2023 Firearms and Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2023
According to included factory documentation, this rifle originally shipped from Hartford June 5, 1875 as a No. 2 Creedmoor rifle without further description to B. Kittredge & Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio. Included copies of correspondence from Benjamin Kittredge to Sharps indicates that this rifle was purchased for his and his son's own personal use target shooting, his son being a member of a club near their estate in Peekskill, New York. The letter explains that Kittredge and his son were shooting Remington rifles at the time and "Better targets have been made by the club here he with the Creedmoor Sharps", indicating the reason for the purchase. B. Kittredge & Co. continued to do a large volume of business with Sharps through 1879, this rifle likely helping solidify the relationship. Originally chambered in .44/95 2 - 5/8", this rifle was returned to the Bridgeport factory in 1877 where the current half octagon barrel chambered in the improved .45 2 - 4/10 cartridge was fitted at no charge. The richly blued barrel is marked on the top flat with the iconic "Old Reliable" trade mark and 1-line Bridgeport address. Wind gauge front sight with spirit level and matching "53900" numbered folding long-range Vernier tang sight. The rifle is fit with a plain straight grip walnut stock with blued smooth steel shotgun butt plate and Creedmore sight base. The smooth walnut forend is numbered "8053" and was almost certainly replaced at the factory to accommodate the new barrel. CONDITION: Excellent. The barrel retains nearly all of its factory applied blue. The receiver likewise exhibits the majority of its case hardening, with some expected fading, colors remaining strong overall. Most screws also retain significant portions of brilliant nitre blue. Stocks are very fine showing only a few impressions, the butt having possibly been refreshed. Bore is bright showing strong rifling throughout. Mechanically fine. PROVENANCE: The Dr. Richard Labowskie Collection. A very attractive Sharps Creedmore rifle with equally attractive history.
Caliber/Bore
.45 x 2 - 4/10