Guns International #: 102902310

Category - Antique Rifles - Cartridge - Sharps Rifles - Antique

Category
Antique Rifles - Cartridge
Sharps Rifles - Antique

 EARLY WESTERN SHIPPED 1874 SHARPS SPORTER, MADE HARTFORD, CT AND SHIPPED 1875.

Description:
 EARLY WESTERN SHIPPED 1874 SHARPS SPORTER, MADE HARTFORD, CT AND SHIPPED 1875. This is an interesting attic condition rifle that I lettered myself. Accoding to Richard Labowskie who owns the original Sharps shipping records, this one with number 155XXX  has never been lettered before. The letter states that this rifle was invoiced at the Hartford factory on December 6, 1875 to Carlos Gove and Son, gunsmiths and gun dealers in Denver, Colorado Territory.  The letter further states, "The rifle is further described in the record as being .44 caliber, case length not specified, with a 32 inch full octagon barrel, double triggers, open sights and oil finished stocks. The weight was not listed, but the price of $44 less 25% suggests that it was a rifle of standard weight, i.e., up to 12 pounds. The Order to the Gove firm on this date consisted of 12 Model 1874 Octagon Rifles in various configurations, all apparently under 12 pounds in weight, accompanied by 12 sets of corresponding rloading implements..." This rifle appears to be a .44-90 caliber according to my measurement of the chamber. This and the .50-90 were the two big "buffalo cartridges" at the time. Interesting that it has a 32 inch standard weight barrel when 30" was much more common. It was also common for buffalo hunters to have big, heavy hide guns that often weighed 15-16 lbs and also have a couple of standard weight "camp guns" in the same buffalo caliber as their other big rifles for use in general hunting and could be used as a back-up for buffalo if the heavy gun fouled badly or broke a firing pin etc. This rifle weighs about 10 lbs. The barrel serial number under the forend matches the receiver and the forend retains the traditional fancy pewter tip as used on these early Hartford made rifles- after 1876 the Sharps company moved to Bridgeport, CT and the pewter tip was only installed on special order with schnable tip standard. Good even barrel blue that has aged dull and dark with no evidence of cleaning. The receiver has also aged dark and the markings are all clear. The butt stock shows almost 150 years of handling and frontier grime that also has never been cleaned. The action is fine and the double set triggers work correctly and retain the adjustment screw. Has the original Lawrence ladder rear sight with slide intact and small blade front sight. The butt stock has a single very old sling swivel installed with the stock and forend having NO cracks or chips. The rear portion of the butt stock appears very dark as if this rifle may have spent a lot of time in a saddle scabbard with the rear 3/4 of the stock unprotected. The bore is particularly fine with strong rifling all the way through and any roughness being extremely minor. A great piece of Colorado Territory history.

Price: $7,950.00

Antique: Yes
Rifle Caliber: .44-90 SBN
Manufacturer: SHARPS
Model: 1874 SPORTER
Serial Number: 155XXX
Barrel Length: 32" OCT.
Condition: FINE
Bore Condition: FINE+