EXTREMELY RARE MODEL 1877 LOWER SHARPS SINGLE SHOT RIFLE.

Revised: 9/27/2010

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: This lot is accompanied by a Sharps records letter identifying this rifle as a Model 1874 Business rifle invoiced at Bridgeport on April 1, 1878 to Arthur Winchester, the last President of Sharps Rifle Company, in a lot of 100 Business rifles. 30 were in caliber .40 and 70 were in caliber .45. There is no destination in the records for any specific rifle.

EXTREMELY RARE MODEL 1877 LOWER SHARPS SINGLE SHOT RIFLE. SN 161645. Cal. 45 2-1/10″ (45-70). Extremely rare rifle that according to Sharps Firearms, Sellers, only a total of 75 were produced in 1880 with the entire production sold to the J.P. Lower Co. of Denver, Colorado. Of the total 75 rifles there were only 14 in 45-70 with 28″ rnd bbls such as this one. This rifle has a 28″ rnd bbl, with dovetailed front sight and Lawrence Patent ladder rear sight with no provision for a tang sight. Top of bbl is marked “Old Reliable” in a panel and the Bridgeport address forward of the rear sight and “J.P. LOWER / DENVER COL.” and “BUSINESS 45″ over the chamber area. The cartridge case length is marked on right side of chamber area. Receiver is of the last or third type with lightened frame and lockplate with narrow trigger plate. Mounted with very nicely figured, uncheckered American walnut with rnd tip, typical Sharps forearm and straight stock with Sharps checkered steel buttplate. Top tang has a unique pinned, forged and brazed repqiar in the top tang about 1/2” into the cartridge slot. The restoration work obliterated the SN on the top tang. The full SN was observed on bottom of bbl along with assembly number “47” which number was also observed on the rear face of the buttstock, trigger plate, lockplate & buttplate. Although no number was observed in the forearm there can be little doubt that the forearm has been with this rifle its entire life. Weight: 9 lbs. 14 oz. CONDITION: Good to very good. Bbl retains a medium to dark mottled smooth brown patina with strong blue under the forearm. Receiver retains traces of silvered case colors being mostly a medium brown patina. Lockplate & trigger plate retain about 50% silvered case colors with balance a smooth medium patina. Butt stock has internal repairs and a repair with a small spot of fill by the top tang and overall is fragile through the wrist, otherwise wood is sound and retains about all of a professionally restored finish. Mechanics are fine, strong bright bore with some light orange peel in front of chamber. 4-40131 JR215 (10,000-15,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2010

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2095	$0.00	Revised: 9/27/2010 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: This lot is accompanied by a Sharps records letter identifying this rifle as a Model 1874 Business rifle invoiced at Bridgeport on April 1, 1878 to Arthur Winchester, the last President of Sharps Rifle Company, in a lot of 100 Business rifles. 30 were in caliber .40 and 70 were in caliber .45. There is no destination in the records for any specific rifle. EXTREMELY RARE MODEL 1877 LOWER SHARPS SINGLE SHOT RIFLE. SN 161645. Cal. 45 2-1/10″ (45-70). Extremely rare rifle that according to Sharps Firearms, Sellers, only a total of 75 were produced in 1880 with the entire production sold to the J.P. Lower Co. of Denver, Colorado. Of the total 75 rifles there were only 14 in 45-70 with 28″ rnd bbls such as this one. This rifle has a 28″ rnd bbl, with dovetailed front sight and Lawrence Patent ladder rear sight with no provision for a tang sight. Top of bbl is marked “Old Reliable” in a panel and the Bridgeport address forward of the rear sight and “J.P. LOWER / DENVER COL.” and “BUSINESS 45″ over the chamber area. The cartridge case length is marked on right side of chamber area. Receiver is of the last or third type with lightened frame and lockplate with narrow trigger plate. Mounted with very nicely figured, uncheckered American walnut with rnd tip, typical Sharps forearm and straight stock with Sharps checkered steel buttplate. Top tang has a unique pinned, forged and brazed repqiar in the top tang about 1/2” into the cartridge slot. The restoration work obliterated the SN on the top tang. The full SN was observed on bottom of bbl along with assembly number “47” which number was also observed on the rear face of the buttstock, trigger plate, lockplate & buttplate. Although no number was observed in the forearm there can be little doubt that the forearm has been with this rifle its entire life. Weight: 9 lbs. 14 oz. CONDITION: Good to very good. Bbl retains a medium to dark mottled smooth brown patina with strong blue under the forearm. Receiver retains traces of silvered case colors being mostly a medium brown patina. Lockplate & trigger plate retain about 50% silvered case colors with balance a smooth medium patina. Butt stock has internal repairs and a repair with a small spot of fill by the top tang and overall is fragile through the wrist, otherwise wood is sound and retains about all of a professionally restored finish. Mechanics are fine, strong bright bore with some light orange peel in front of chamber. 4-40131 JR215 (10,000-15,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2010 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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