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Extremely Rare and Excellent Sharps Model 1874 Number 4 Long Range Single Shot Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:10,000.00 USD Estimated At:25,000.00 - 32,500.00 USD
Extremely Rare and Excellent Sharps Model 1874 Number 4 Long Range Single Shot Rifle
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Estimate: $25000 - 32500
Manufactured circa 1876, this rifle is one of an estimated only 9 Number 4 Long Range rifles manufactured by Sharps. According to "Sharps Firearms" by Frank Sellers, page 226, 2 were manufactured in Hartford, Conn and 7 in Bridgeport, Conn. The rifle is fitted with a 34 inch octagon barrel equipped with a globe front sight and no provisions for a rear sight. The top flat is marked "SHARPS RIFLE CO BRIDGEPORT, CONN." 8 inches ahead of the breech and "CALIBRE 44" at the breech. The left side of the receiver is marked "SHARPS RIFLE CO./PAT APR 6 1869". The serial number is marked on the upper tang with the third numeral below the factory installed post for the tang sight. The tang sight is a long range sporting variation marked with the matching serial number on the lower left side. The matching serial number is also on the bottom barrel flat under the forearm and the forearm is stamped "6339" and has the complete matching number written in pencil. The inside of the forearm is also stamped "C.W. LENNOX", the origin of the marking is unknown, some research may prove to be interesting. The barrel is finished blue and the remaining metal surfaces are casehardened. The rifle is equipped with a single trigger and mounted with a smooth varnished walnut forearm with a Schnabel forend and straight grip stock with a carbine style buttplate.
BBL: 34 inch octagon
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 44
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: 156339
Condition: Excellent. The barrel retains 95% plus original blue finish mixed with a smooth plum patina. The remaining metal surfaces with the exception of the buttplate retain 97% original bright case colors with some fading to a smooth dove gray. The wood is also very fine with almost all of the original varnish, showing a 2 1/4 inch narrow minor pressure dent on the left rear of the stock and overall a few minor dings. The markings are crisp and clear. The action is excellent. An exceptional example of an extremely rare Sharps Model 1874 Number 4 Long range rifle.