RARE MID-PRODUCTION BROWNING MODEL 1878 SINGLE SHOT RIFLE.

RARE MID-PRODUCTION BROWNING MODEL 1878 SINGLE SHOT RIFLE. SN 336. Cal. 40-70 Sharps straight. Standard grade rifle with 30-1/8″ oct bbl, German silver Rocky Mountain front sight and Winchester style sporting rear sight. Top flat of bbl, above the rear sight is marked in small letters “BROWNING BROS., OGDEN, U.T. / PAT. OCT 7, 79” and below the sight has the caliber marking and SN at the receiver. Receiver is of the 2nd type, thinner with a more narrow breech block that has a nearly flat top and shorter tangs. It has conventional trigger and Borchardt style lever. Mounted with uncheckered, straight grain American walnut with long, semi-schnable forearm secured with a sgl screw through the bottom. Mr. Kontes states that he purchased this rifle in Idaho Falls, ID from Harry Ames in about 1960-64. Mr. Ames’ father reportedly purchased two of these rifles with the second one lost to history. PROVENANCE: John C. Kontes Collection. CONDITION: Very good to fine. Metal overall retains a smooth, even, light silver/gray patina with a few light freckles of pin prick rust; lever shows a little heavier rust with a few dings and the buttplate is a dark brown patina. Wood is sound with nicks, dings & scratches on buttstock with very few on forearm and overall retains a lightly restored finish. Mechanics are fine, strong bore with moderate to heavy pitting. 4-46630 JR341 (20,000-30,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2012

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
	1340	$20,700.00	RARE MID-PRODUCTION BROWNING MODEL 1878 SINGLE SHOT RIFLE. SN 336. Cal. 40-70 Sharps straight. Standard grade rifle with 30-1/8″ oct bbl, German silver Rocky Mountain front sight and Winchester style sporting rear sight. Top flat of bbl, above the rear sight is marked in small letters “BROWNING BROS., OGDEN, U.T. / PAT. OCT 7, 79” and below the sight has the caliber marking and SN at the receiver. Receiver is of the 2nd type, thinner with a more narrow breech block that has a nearly flat top and shorter tangs. It has conventional trigger and Borchardt style lever. Mounted with uncheckered, straight grain American walnut with long, semi-schnable forearm secured with a sgl screw through the bottom. Mr. Kontes states that he purchased this rifle in Idaho Falls, ID from Harry Ames in about 1960-64. Mr. Ames’ father reportedly purchased two of these rifles with the second one lost to history. PROVENANCE: John C. Kontes Collection. CONDITION: Very good to fine. Metal overall retains a smooth, even, light silver/gray patina with a few light freckles of pin prick rust; lever shows a little heavier rust with a few dings and the buttplate is a dark brown patina. Wood is sound with nicks, dings & scratches on buttstock with very few on forearm and overall retains a lightly restored finish. Mechanics are fine, strong bore with moderate to heavy pitting. 4-46630 JR341 (20,000-30,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2012 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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