EXTREMELY RARE & DESIRABLE FORT GRIFFIN, TEXAS SHIPPED SHARPS MODEL 1874 BUFFALO RIFLE.

Revised: 3/9/2008

(Correction) Gun is a restoration bu Dave Garman of the Arcadia Sharps Rifle Co., Arcadia, CA. Barrel and stock are replacements. Action serial #159642 is authentic.

EXTREMELY RARE & DESIRABLE FORT GRIFFIN, TEXAS SHIPPED SHARPS MODEL 1874 BUFFALO RIFLE. SN 159642. Cal. 44 2-5/8″. This extremely rare rifle has a 30″ heavy oct bbl, 1-1/8″ across the flats, with half of an 1876 dime as the front sight. It has the Lawrence Patent rear sight with “OLD RELIABLE” and standard Bridgeport markings on top flat. Top flat also is marked “CALIBRE 44” and the right side flat, upside down, is marked “2 5/8”. Receiver has standard markings with lockplate having no markings which is correct for this model. Bottom of bbl has serial number which matches the receiver and the inside of the toe of buttplate has last four digits of serial number. Mounted with straight grain uncheckered walnut with semi-schnable forearm and straight stock with checkered Sharps steel buttplate. It has dbl set triggers. Accompanied by a Sharps records letter identifying this rifle, as found, and listing weight as 14 lbs. It was invoiced at the Bridgeport Factory Jan. 4, 1877 to Frank E. Conrad, Merchant & Outfitter of Fort Griffin, Texas, in a shipment of 20 Model 1874 sporting rifles on this date in two strapped wooden cases. All had full oct bbls in caliber 44-90 with ten of them weighing 12 lbs., five weighing 14 lbs. and five about 16 lbs. Fort Griffin, as history has recorded, was the hub of the suppliers & outfitters for the buffalo hunters of the southern herd. It is well noted that Fort Griffin was an extremely wild & lawless town during this period with the enormous amount of money passing through the area from the buffalo hunters and their associated support personnel. The lawlessness, as with any frontier town, was even more prevalent around Fort Griffin with the saloons, brothels & gambling establishments attracting outlaws & the dregs of society at every level. Few of the many Sharps rifles shipped to Fort Griffin are known today and almost none are in orig configuration. Most have had bbls shortened, wood replaced or some other major alteration. Therefore finding one, such as this rifle, with most of its orig attributes still present, is a very great rarity. CONDITION: Very good, all matching as previously noted. Bbl retains a gray/brown patina with fine pitting and traces of orig blue. Receiver is a gray/brown patina with faint case colors in sheltered areas and the lockplate & hammer a gray/brown patina. Wood is sound with light nicks & dings and retains a smooth patina from years of use and oil rubbed surface. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. 4-31929 (25,000-35,000)

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
	1032	$17,250.00	Revised: 3/9/2008 (Correction) Gun is a restoration bu Dave Garman of the Arcadia Sharps Rifle Co., Arcadia, CA. Barrel and stock are replacements. Action serial #159642 is authentic. EXTREMELY RARE & DESIRABLE FORT GRIFFIN, TEXAS SHIPPED SHARPS MODEL 1874 BUFFALO RIFLE. SN 159642. Cal. 44 2-5/8″. This extremely rare rifle has a 30″ heavy oct bbl, 1-1/8″ across the flats, with half of an 1876 dime as the front sight. It has the Lawrence Patent rear sight with “OLD RELIABLE” and standard Bridgeport markings on top flat. Top flat also is marked “CALIBRE 44” and the right side flat, upside down, is marked “2 5/8”. Receiver has standard markings with lockplate having no markings which is correct for this model. Bottom of bbl has serial number which matches the receiver and the inside of the toe of buttplate has last four digits of serial number. Mounted with straight grain uncheckered walnut with semi-schnable forearm and straight stock with checkered Sharps steel buttplate. It has dbl set triggers. Accompanied by a Sharps records letter identifying this rifle, as found, and listing weight as 14 lbs. It was invoiced at the Bridgeport Factory Jan. 4, 1877 to Frank E. Conrad, Merchant & Outfitter of Fort Griffin, Texas, in a shipment of 20 Model 1874 sporting rifles on this date in two strapped wooden cases. All had full oct bbls in caliber 44-90 with ten of them weighing 12 lbs., five weighing 14 lbs. and five about 16 lbs. Fort Griffin, as history has recorded, was the hub of the suppliers & outfitters for the buffalo hunters of the southern herd. It is well noted that Fort Griffin was an extremely wild & lawless town during this period with the enormous amount of money passing through the area from the buffalo hunters and their associated support personnel. The lawlessness, as with any frontier town, was even more prevalent around Fort Griffin with the saloons, brothels & gambling establishments attracting outlaws & the dregs of society at every level. Few of the many Sharps rifles shipped to Fort Griffin are known today and almost none are in orig configuration. Most have had bbls shortened, wood replaced or some other major alteration. Therefore finding one, such as this rifle, with most of its orig attributes still present, is a very great rarity. CONDITION: Very good, all matching as previously noted. Bbl retains a gray/brown patina with fine pitting and traces of orig blue. Receiver is a gray/brown patina with faint case colors in sheltered areas and the lockplate & hammer a gray/brown patina. Wood is sound with light nicks & dings and retains a smooth patina from years of use and oil rubbed surface. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. 4-31929 (25,000-35,000) 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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