VERY RARE SHARPS MODEL 1878 BORCHARDT SCHUETZEN RIFLE WITH POPE BARREL.

VERY RARE SHARPS MODEL 1878 BORCHARDT SCHUETZEN RIFLE WITH POPE BARREL. SN 6649. Cal. 28 Pope Spcl. Rare rifle with 32″ medium weight oct bbl that has globe front sight and no rear seat. Top flat is marked “H.M. POPE, HARTFORD, CONN.”. Bottom of bbl, under forearm has the bbl weight “3” and Pope’s number “132” along with a small star and “VP” in a circle. These marks indicate that this is probably a Winchester bbl blank purchased by Mr. Pope for his own purposes. The bore is left hand rifled by Mr. Pope with the cartridge having a small bottle-neck case. Receiver has the usual patent date on the bottom along with the serial number and is otherwise unmarked. Receiver has an integral sight base containing a Winchester-type short range vernier sight with built-in windage adjustment. The erector spring and detent are missing. Bbl has its original Pope false muzzle which is matching numbered to the Pope number on the bottom of the bbl. Also accompanied by an original type brass and steel bullet starter which is unnumbered, but is absolutely an original Pope style for this rifle and false muzzle. Receiver has walnut panel inlays on each side. It is mounted with a beautiful English walnut Schuetzen butt stock, probably by Zischang, with a brass, medium prong Schuetzen buttplate and has a shallow cheekpiece on the left side. Forearm is typical of the long range Sharps type with a single key through bowtie escutcheons and a smooth horn tip. According to the consignor, this rifle was invoiced in 1878 as a long range rifle, shipped to The Independent, a New York City newspaper, a weekly Congregationalist newspaper of the period. This leads one to speculate that the original rifle was possibly a shooting prize. Further research may disclose the event. A similar rifle, altered by Pope, is pictured on page 283 of the book Sharps Firearms, Sellers. That rifle is fitted with an oct to rnd bbl but has a similar butt stock and buttplate with identical tang sight. CONDITION: Extremely fine. Bbl retains virtually all of its fine original Pope finish. Receiver retains most of its original case colors, strong and bright on the left side, moderately faded on the right side and top. Breech block is also faded to dark gray patina. Lever retains strong colors on the sides, faded to dark gray on the outer face. Wood is sound with a few, very minor, scattered nicks and scratches and retains about all of its fine varnish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. False muzzle and bullet starter are equally new. 4-46021 JR369 (10,000-15,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 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
	2306	$17,250.00	VERY RARE SHARPS MODEL 1878 BORCHARDT SCHUETZEN RIFLE WITH POPE BARREL. SN 6649. Cal. 28 Pope Spcl. Rare rifle with 32″ medium weight oct bbl that has globe front sight and no rear seat. Top flat is marked “H.M. POPE, HARTFORD, CONN.”. Bottom of bbl, under forearm has the bbl weight “3” and Pope’s number “132” along with a small star and “VP” in a circle. These marks indicate that this is probably a Winchester bbl blank purchased by Mr. Pope for his own purposes. The bore is left hand rifled by Mr. Pope with the cartridge having a small bottle-neck case. Receiver has the usual patent date on the bottom along with the serial number and is otherwise unmarked. Receiver has an integral sight base containing a Winchester-type short range vernier sight with built-in windage adjustment. The erector spring and detent are missing. Bbl has its original Pope false muzzle which is matching numbered to the Pope number on the bottom of the bbl. Also accompanied by an original type brass and steel bullet starter which is unnumbered, but is absolutely an original Pope style for this rifle and false muzzle. Receiver has walnut panel inlays on each side. It is mounted with a beautiful English walnut Schuetzen butt stock, probably by Zischang, with a brass, medium prong Schuetzen buttplate and has a shallow cheekpiece on the left side. Forearm is typical of the long range Sharps type with a single key through bowtie escutcheons and a smooth horn tip. According to the consignor, this rifle was invoiced in 1878 as a long range rifle, shipped to The Independent, a New York City newspaper, a weekly Congregationalist newspaper of the period. This leads one to speculate that the original rifle was possibly a shooting prize. Further research may disclose the event. A similar rifle, altered by Pope, is pictured on page 283 of the book Sharps Firearms, Sellers. That rifle is fitted with an oct to rnd bbl but has a similar butt stock and buttplate with identical tang sight. CONDITION: Extremely fine. Bbl retains virtually all of its fine original Pope finish. Receiver retains most of its original case colors, strong and bright on the left side, moderately faded on the right side and top. Breech block is also faded to dark gray patina. Lever retains strong colors on the sides, faded to dark gray on the outer face. Wood is sound with a few, very minor, scattered nicks and scratches and retains about all of its fine varnish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. False muzzle and bullet starter are equally new. 4-46021 JR369 (10,000-15,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 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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