FINE SHARPS MODEL 1874 LONG RANGE NO. 2 SINGLE SHOT TARGET RIFLE.

FINE SHARPS MODEL 1874 LONG RANGE NO. 2 SINGLE SHOT TARGET RIFLE. SN 156383. Cal. 44 2-4/10. Beautiful Sharps target rifle with 34″ oct to rnd bbl, spirit level windgage globe front sight, slot blank in the rear seat, and mounted with matching numbered long range vernier tang sight with 4-3/4″ staff. Bottom side of sight base has an “A” in a shield which is believed to be the trademark for the Axtell Rifle Company. Front sight is also by Axtell. Top flat of bbl has the Bridgeport and “OLD RELIABLE” markings and left side of the receiver has the Sharps Rifle Co. marking with “1869” patent date. Mounted with very nicely figured fiddleback, checkered American walnut with schnable tip forearm that has heart shaped checkering at the tip and diamond checkering in the center. Pistol grip stock has checkered wrist and checkered grip cap with Sharps checkered steel buttplate. Last four digits of the serial number are stamped inside the toe of the buttplate. Pencil number in the forearm is illegible. Bottom of the bbl is numbered “158176” and it has the weight stamped by the forward forearm screw hole. No further disassembly was attempted to verify other matching numbers. Accompanied by a Sharps Armory letter over the signature of Dr. Richard Labowskie, which fully identifies this rifle as found, invoiced at the Bridgeport Factory on May 3, 1876 to Dr. C.M. Carlton, Norwich, Conn. This rifle was originally chambered for the 44-90 – 2-5/8″ cartridge which was later shortened to 2.4″ at the request of long range shooters. On Oct. 24, 1877, Dr. Carlton returned this rifle to the factory and had it fitted with a new bbl in this new caliber. Letter further states that the SN of the new bbl is not recorded, however #158176 is a blank in the records “indicating a previously numbered barrel was taken from stock and fitted to the receiver of Carlton’s rifle”. Letter further states that there is “strong indication from analysis of the Sharps production records that barrels were numbered in advance”. Letter additionally states that Dr. Carlton was a mid- and long-range shooter, probably a member of the Middletown, CT Rifle Club. He did not achieve national reputation as a marksman. Dr. Labowskie’s letter further states that this rifle constitutes a “factory-original Model 1874 Long Range Rifle No. 2”. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbl retains 97-98% strong orig blue with some very minor surface spotting. Receiver & lockplate retain strong case colors in sheltered areas with the balance turning silver. Wood is sound showing light handling & use marks and retains most of its orig factory varnish. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore. 4-38748 JR96 (11,500-16,500)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2009

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
	2538	$0.00	FINE SHARPS MODEL 1874 LONG RANGE NO. 2 SINGLE SHOT TARGET RIFLE. SN 156383. Cal. 44 2-4/10. Beautiful Sharps target rifle with 34″ oct to rnd bbl, spirit level windgage globe front sight, slot blank in the rear seat, and mounted with matching numbered long range vernier tang sight with 4-3/4″ staff. Bottom side of sight base has an “A” in a shield which is believed to be the trademark for the Axtell Rifle Company. Front sight is also by Axtell. Top flat of bbl has the Bridgeport and “OLD RELIABLE” markings and left side of the receiver has the Sharps Rifle Co. marking with “1869” patent date. Mounted with very nicely figured fiddleback, checkered American walnut with schnable tip forearm that has heart shaped checkering at the tip and diamond checkering in the center. Pistol grip stock has checkered wrist and checkered grip cap with Sharps checkered steel buttplate. Last four digits of the serial number are stamped inside the toe of the buttplate. Pencil number in the forearm is illegible. Bottom of the bbl is numbered “158176” and it has the weight stamped by the forward forearm screw hole. No further disassembly was attempted to verify other matching numbers. Accompanied by a Sharps Armory letter over the signature of Dr. Richard Labowskie, which fully identifies this rifle as found, invoiced at the Bridgeport Factory on May 3, 1876 to Dr. C.M. Carlton, Norwich, Conn. This rifle was originally chambered for the 44-90 – 2-5/8″ cartridge which was later shortened to 2.4″ at the request of long range shooters. On Oct. 24, 1877, Dr. Carlton returned this rifle to the factory and had it fitted with a new bbl in this new caliber. Letter further states that the SN of the new bbl is not recorded, however #158176 is a blank in the records “indicating a previously numbered barrel was taken from stock and fitted to the receiver of Carlton’s rifle”. Letter further states that there is “strong indication from analysis of the Sharps production records that barrels were numbered in advance”. Letter additionally states that Dr. Carlton was a mid- and long-range shooter, probably a member of the Middletown, CT Rifle Club. He did not achieve national reputation as a marksman. Dr. Labowskie’s letter further states that this rifle constitutes a “factory-original Model 1874 Long Range Rifle No. 2”. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbl retains 97-98% strong orig blue with some very minor surface spotting. Receiver & lockplate retain strong case colors in sheltered areas with the balance turning silver. Wood is sound showing light handling & use marks and retains most of its orig factory varnish. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore. 4-38748 JR96 (11,500-16,500) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2009 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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