VERY RARE AND IMPORTANT HEAVY BBL SHARPS MODEL 1874 SPORTING RIFLE.

VERY RARE AND IMPORTANT HEAVY BBL SHARPS MODEL 1874 SPORTING RIFLE. Cal 40. 2-½”. SN 158635. 34″ oct bbl. Certainly one of the most important Sharps rifles to be offered at public auction in years. As per a factory records letter from Dr. Richard J. Labowski which states: ‘It is one of the best known of all Sharps rifles and appears in Order Book No. 7 listed as a Model 1874 Sporting Rifle invoiced at the Bridgeport factory on March 24, 1879 to James Dodds of Dayton, Ohio.

The rifle is further described as being .40 caliber using the 2 & ½ inch shell, and having a 34 inch full octagon barrel ordered by Dodds to weigh 22 pounds, with double triggers, open sights and oil finished stocks. The ordered was entered on January 25, 1879, but the rifle was not shipped until two months later, indicating the effort needed for Sharps production to accommodate such an unusual special order. The price charged for this unique rifle, unfortunately, does not appear in the surviving records. This rifle is the heaviest octagon barrel Model 1874 Sharps rifle ever made. It is illustrated in ‘Sharps Firearms’ by Frank Sellers on page 224.

Shipped along with the rifle were 100 empty shells .40-2&1/2, 1250 bullets .40/330, 250 bullets .40/370 and one wad cutter.

James Dodds’ letterhead states that he dealt in “English & American Breech-Loading Guns, Fine Tools for Mechanics, Carvers & Jewelers…..’ and that he engaged in ‘Model Making and Repairing’. He purchased at least two ultra heavy weight Model 1874 Sharps Sporting Rifles directly from the factory”. The full length telescope now mounted on the rifle is unmarked. The rear 7-½” is brass and is an extension without optics. CONDITION: Very fine. 85% thinning blue on the bbl, worn on the edges. Casehardening colors are bright at the front of the lockplate, slightly fading elsewhere and completely silvered out on the lever and rear of the lockplate. Wood has scratches on the left side. Mechanically fine. 4-57568 (45,000-65,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2006

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
	501	$40,250.00	VERY RARE AND IMPORTANT HEAVY BBL SHARPS MODEL 1874 SPORTING RIFLE. Cal 40. 2-½”. SN 158635. 34″ oct bbl. Certainly one of the most important Sharps rifles to be offered at public auction in years. As per a factory records letter from Dr. Richard J. Labowski which states: ‘It is one of the best known of all Sharps rifles and appears in Order Book No. 7 listed as a Model 1874 Sporting Rifle invoiced at the Bridgeport factory on March 24, 1879 to James Dodds of Dayton, Ohio. The rifle is further described as being .40 caliber using the 2 & ½ inch shell, and having a 34 inch full octagon barrel ordered by Dodds to weigh 22 pounds, with double triggers, open sights and oil finished stocks. The ordered was entered on January 25, 1879, but the rifle was not shipped until two months later, indicating the effort needed for Sharps production to accommodate such an unusual special order. The price charged for this unique rifle, unfortunately, does not appear in the surviving records. This rifle is the heaviest octagon barrel Model 1874 Sharps rifle ever made. It is illustrated in ‘Sharps Firearms’ by Frank Sellers on page 224. Shipped along with the rifle were 100 empty shells .40-2&1/2, 1250 bullets .40/330, 250 bullets .40/370 and one wad cutter. James Dodds’ letterhead states that he dealt in “English & American Breech-Loading Guns, Fine Tools for Mechanics, Carvers & Jewelers…..’ and that he engaged in ‘Model Making and Repairing’. He purchased at least two ultra heavy weight Model 1874 Sharps Sporting Rifles directly from the factory”. The full length telescope now mounted on the rifle is unmarked. The rear 7-½” is brass and is an extension without optics. CONDITION: Very fine. 85% thinning blue on the bbl, worn on the edges. Casehardening colors are bright at the front of the lockplate, slightly fading elsewhere and completely silvered out on the lever and rear of the lockplate. Wood has scratches on the left side. Mechanically fine. 4-57568 (45,000-65,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2006 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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