SCARCE SHARPS MODEL 1878 MID-RANGE PANEL BORCHARDT SINGLE SHOT RIFLE.

SCARCE SHARPS MODEL 1878 MID-RANGE PANEL BORCHARDT SINGLE SHOT RIFLE. SN 7064. Cal. 40-70 Sharps straight. Beautiful Borchardt with 30″ medium weight tapered rnd bbl, spirit level windgage front sight missing the liquid in the glass. It has the Lawrence Patent ladder rear sight and an integral mid-range tang sight base containing a 4″ staff with central vernier adjustment that appears to be from another rifle as the index notch is not vertical. Top of bbl has the “Old Reliable” marking without border and Bridgeport address. Receiver, lever & breech block are color case hardened with patent date & SN on bottom and wood panel inserts on sides. Mounted with very highly figured, center crotch American walnut with checkered schnable tip forearm and pistol grip stock with serpentine grip cap and checkered Sharps hard rubber buttplate. According to Sharps Firearms, Sellers, only 215 of these rare rifles were produced in the period Oct. 31, 1877 to Oct. 1880. Accompanied by a Sharps letter from Dr. Richard Labowski. This rifle is listed in Order Book #7 as a mid-range model in 40 caliber 2-1/2″ case with no other specifications listed except the weight which was 9-1/2″ lbs. It was invoiced June 25, 1878 to George R. Stetson, New Bedford, Mass. in care of the Morse Twist Drill & Machine Co. A quick Google search disclosed that George R. Stetson was a trustee & officer of several local banks. Additional research in New Bedford would likely yield substantially more information on such a prominent local person. CONDITION: Extremely fine plus, all matching including bbl, top tang, forearm & buttstock. Buttplate is properly unnumbered. Bbl retains about 98-99% strong orig factory blue with only faint sharp edge wear at the muzzle. Barrel sights retain about all of their orig blue with the front sight level missing its liquid. Receiver, lever & breech block retain about all of their factory case colors, moderately to heavily faded with some light discoloration on right side of receiver and outer face of lever. Stock has a couple of minor grain checks in left side, otherwise wood is sound with a few scattered very minor handling & storage nicks & scratches and retain virtually all of its bright, orig, factory varnish. Buttplate is sound showing light wear, turning slightly chocolate. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. 4-40132 JR204 (16,500-22,500)

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
	2101	$18,400.00	SCARCE SHARPS MODEL 1878 MID-RANGE PANEL BORCHARDT SINGLE SHOT RIFLE. SN 7064. Cal. 40-70 Sharps straight. Beautiful Borchardt with 30″ medium weight tapered rnd bbl, spirit level windgage front sight missing the liquid in the glass. It has the Lawrence Patent ladder rear sight and an integral mid-range tang sight base containing a 4″ staff with central vernier adjustment that appears to be from another rifle as the index notch is not vertical. Top of bbl has the “Old Reliable” marking without border and Bridgeport address. Receiver, lever & breech block are color case hardened with patent date & SN on bottom and wood panel inserts on sides. Mounted with very highly figured, center crotch American walnut with checkered schnable tip forearm and pistol grip stock with serpentine grip cap and checkered Sharps hard rubber buttplate. According to Sharps Firearms, Sellers, only 215 of these rare rifles were produced in the period Oct. 31, 1877 to Oct. 1880. Accompanied by a Sharps letter from Dr. Richard Labowski. This rifle is listed in Order Book #7 as a mid-range model in 40 caliber 2-1/2″ case with no other specifications listed except the weight which was 9-1/2″ lbs. It was invoiced June 25, 1878 to George R. Stetson, New Bedford, Mass. in care of the Morse Twist Drill & Machine Co. A quick Google search disclosed that George R. Stetson was a trustee & officer of several local banks. Additional research in New Bedford would likely yield substantially more information on such a prominent local person. CONDITION: Extremely fine plus, all matching including bbl, top tang, forearm & buttstock. Buttplate is properly unnumbered. Bbl retains about 98-99% strong orig factory blue with only faint sharp edge wear at the muzzle. Barrel sights retain about all of their orig blue with the front sight level missing its liquid. Receiver, lever & breech block retain about all of their factory case colors, moderately to heavily faded with some light discoloration on right side of receiver and outer face of lever. Stock has a couple of minor grain checks in left side, otherwise wood is sound with a few scattered very minor handling & storage nicks & scratches and retain virtually all of its bright, orig, factory varnish. Buttplate is sound showing light wear, turning slightly chocolate. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. 4-40132 JR204 (16,500-22,500) 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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