EXTREMELY RARE SHARPS EXTRA HEAVY MODEL 1874 TARGET RIFLE.

EXTREMELY RARE SHARPS EXTRA HEAVY MODEL 1874 TARGET RIFLE. SN 162440. Cal. 40 2-1/2 (40-70 Sharps straight). Extraordinary 24 lb. rifle with 34″ rnd bbl that is 1-5/8″ diameter at the muzzle. It has a special large globe front sight with no provision for a rear sight and has a Sharps mid-range vernier tang sight with 4″ staff. Top of bbl has the “OLD RELIABLE”, without a box, and the usual Bridgeport markings. Left side of bbl at the chamber has the caliber marking. Receiver has usual Sharps & patent markings on left side and it has a checkered trigger. Mounted with nicely figured American walnut with checkered semi-schnable tip forearm and pistol grip stock with Sharps checkered steel buttplate. Left side of wrist, at the receiver, has a side panel shaped gutta-percha inlay. Bottom of bbl, under the forearm, has the matching serial number. Accompanied by a Sharps records letter which states that this rifle is listed in “Order Book No. 7 as a Model 1874 Sporting Rifle and was invoiced at the Bridgeport factory on May 1, 1879 to N.B. Tyler of Warren, Ohio.” Letter further states “This rifle, however, was anything but a Sporting Rifle; in fact it was an ultra-heavy bench rest target rifle. The description of the rifle in the record, as taken from Tyler’s ordering letter of February 21, 1879, is as follows: caliber .40 – 65 2&1/2 inch shell; 34 inch round barrel to weigh 20 pounds; mid-range sights without spirit lever, no hunting sights (rear barrel sight?); pistol-grip stock with plain oil finish; 3 pound trigger pull (trigger style not specified); butt-stock 1 inch longer and 1&1/2 inch more drop than usual; cross bar 5 inches from muzzle to keep gun level and always in same position. The total weight of the rifle was not entered in the record, but with a 20 pound barrel it would have approached 25 pounds. The price charged for this special-order rifle has not been found in any of the records, but it was surely sold at a substantial premium.” “N.B. Tyler was, of course, a bench rest match shooter. His letterhead describes himself as a dealer in ‘fine English and American guns’ and other sporting goods. He had an extensive correspondence with the Sharps company and submitted targets he made to them.” The “crossbar”, as mentioned in the above letter, is not present on the bbl and never was. There is no evidence whatsoever that any such appliance was ever installed. LOP is exactly 14″. Drop at heel: 2-1/2″. Weight: 24 lbs. CONDITION: Fine to very fine. Bbl retains virtually all of its fine orig factory blue with a few wear spots on top about mid-point. Receiver & lockplate retain 50-60% faded case colors with the balance a mottled silver gray patina. Wood is sound with the forearm a hand worn patina showing heavy wear on bottom of checkering and schnable tip. Stock, with its gutta-percha inlay, is sound with chipped grip cap and bruises on left side of wrist and minor nicks & scratches elsewhere and retains most of its orig factory finish. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. 4-32850 JR363 (20,000-30,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2008

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
	1031	$25,300.00	EXTREMELY RARE SHARPS EXTRA HEAVY MODEL 1874 TARGET RIFLE. SN 162440. Cal. 40 2-1/2 (40-70 Sharps straight). Extraordinary 24 lb. rifle with 34″ rnd bbl that is 1-5/8″ diameter at the muzzle. It has a special large globe front sight with no provision for a rear sight and has a Sharps mid-range vernier tang sight with 4″ staff. Top of bbl has the “OLD RELIABLE”, without a box, and the usual Bridgeport markings. Left side of bbl at the chamber has the caliber marking. Receiver has usual Sharps & patent markings on left side and it has a checkered trigger. Mounted with nicely figured American walnut with checkered semi-schnable tip forearm and pistol grip stock with Sharps checkered steel buttplate. Left side of wrist, at the receiver, has a side panel shaped gutta-percha inlay. Bottom of bbl, under the forearm, has the matching serial number. Accompanied by a Sharps records letter which states that this rifle is listed in “Order Book No. 7 as a Model 1874 Sporting Rifle and was invoiced at the Bridgeport factory on May 1, 1879 to N.B. Tyler of Warren, Ohio.” Letter further states “This rifle, however, was anything but a Sporting Rifle; in fact it was an ultra-heavy bench rest target rifle. The description of the rifle in the record, as taken from Tyler’s ordering letter of February 21, 1879, is as follows: caliber .40 – 65 2&1/2 inch shell; 34 inch round barrel to weigh 20 pounds; mid-range sights without spirit lever, no hunting sights (rear barrel sight?); pistol-grip stock with plain oil finish; 3 pound trigger pull (trigger style not specified); butt-stock 1 inch longer and 1&1/2 inch more drop than usual; cross bar 5 inches from muzzle to keep gun level and always in same position. The total weight of the rifle was not entered in the record, but with a 20 pound barrel it would have approached 25 pounds. The price charged for this special-order rifle has not been found in any of the records, but it was surely sold at a substantial premium.” “N.B. Tyler was, of course, a bench rest match shooter. His letterhead describes himself as a dealer in ‘fine English and American guns’ and other sporting goods. He had an extensive correspondence with the Sharps company and submitted targets he made to them.” The “crossbar”, as mentioned in the above letter, is not present on the bbl and never was. There is no evidence whatsoever that any such appliance was ever installed. LOP is exactly 14″. Drop at heel: 2-1/2″. Weight: 24 lbs. CONDITION: Fine to very fine. Bbl retains virtually all of its fine orig factory blue with a few wear spots on top about mid-point. Receiver & lockplate retain 50-60% faded case colors with the balance a mottled silver gray patina. Wood is sound with the forearm a hand worn patina showing heavy wear on bottom of checkering and schnable tip. Stock, with its gutta-percha inlay, is sound with chipped grip cap and bruises on left side of wrist and minor nicks & scratches elsewhere and retains most of its orig factory finish. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. 4-32850 JR363 (20,000-30,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2008 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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