October 22-23, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/23/2019
(1874) Made for one of the Sharps 40 caliber bottleneck cartridges (factory letter does not specify case length), this rifle has 28" medium weight full octagon barrel marked for "CALIBER 40" "S" and "20". Top flat is also marked "SHARP'S RIFLE MANUFG. CO." "HARTFORD CONN". Barrel is fitted with "L. N. MOGG" scope with 32 - 1/2" tube in micrometer rear mount adjustable for windage and elevation and front ramp adjustable for windage. Factory letter indicates original sights were "globe and peep". Case hardened action has Hartford style hammer with high position half cock. Left side is marked "C SHARPS' PAT" "SEPT. 12TH 1848". Rifle is fitted with double set triggers, and serial number reads along top tang. Uncheckered straight grip stock of nicely figured American walnut (letter indicates "fancy butt") is fitted with bronze crescent buttplate. Matching forend has fancy pewter tip. Factory letter indicates rifle was invoiced to "George H. Penfield on March 13, 1874". He was the first president of the Sharp's Manufacturing Company and had purchased the majority rights to Sharps' patents in 1850. Letter states "Although his role in the company's management did not extend beyond the late 1850's, he evidently maintained some form of business connection, but not enough to gain him a discount on the rifle discussed here". CONDITION: Excellent. Barrel retains 80-85% of what appears to be original blue. Action and lockplate retain nearly all of their original case hardening color with some small areas of pinprick pitting, mostly on top of hammer nose and on top left of action just below breech block cut. Screws retain most of their bright blue, and stocks retain over 90% of their original varnish with some scratches through and some light marks. Scope tube retains 70-80% blue, optically good, crosshairs awry. Bore is excellent, bright sharp rifling throughout. A neat old Sharps rifle with an interesting historical connection. MGM78.
Caliber/Bore
.40-70 Sharps Bottleneck
Manufacturer
Sharps Rifle Company