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Excellent and Rare Sharps New Model 1869 Sporting Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:0.00 USD Estimated At:16,000.00 - 25,000.00 USD
Excellent and Rare Sharps New Model 1869 Sporting Rifle
This is an excellent example of a rare Model 1869 Sporting Rifle manufactured by the Sharps Rifle Company in Hartford, Connecticut, between 1869 and 1871. The rifle is chambered for the .44/77 cartridge and has a 25-inch half-round/half-octagon barrel. The barrel is fitted with a dovetail front sight with brass blade and a Lawrence patent folding, military style, rear sight. The rifle has double-set triggers. The highly figured walnut stock and forearm with high gloss varnish finish. The forearm has a pewter tip. The barrel is blued and the receiver, breechblock, hammer and buttplate have a casehardened finish. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped "SHARP'S RIFLE/MANUFG. CO./ HARTFORD CONN." in three lines ahead of the rear sight and "CALIBRE 44" between the rear sight and the receiver. The left side of the receiver is roll-stamped "C. SHARPS' PATENT/SEPT 12th 1848". The right side of the lock plate is marked "SHARP'S RIFLE MFG. CO./HARTFORD CONN." in two lines behind the hammer. The serial number, "C,L112" is roll-stamped on the upper receiver tang. The rifle has the distinctive Model 1869 action with no provision for a percussion pellet primer. The Sharps Rifle Co., manufactured approximately 50 examples of the Model 1869 Sporting Rifle. Surviving examples are very rare.
BBL: 25 inch part octagon
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 44 Sharps
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: CL112
Condition: Excellent. The rifle retains 95% plus of the original blue and 80% casehardened finish. The blue finish on the barrel shows almost no wear. The markings on the top flat are crisp. The remaining case colors on the receiver, breech-block, and hammer are vivid. There is some handling wear and minor age discoloration on the upper and lower receiver tang. The case colors on the bottom of the loading lever and the buttplate have a silver-gray patina. The stock and forearm are both in excellent condition and retain most of the original high polish varnish finish. Wear is limited to several very minor handling or storage marks on the stock. This is an exceptional example of a very rare Sharps Model 1869 Sporting Rifle.