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Rare Sharps Model 1877 Sporting Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:0.00 USD Estimated At:14,000.00 - 22,500.00 USD
Rare Sharps Model 1877 Sporting Rifle
This is a solid example of an extremely rare Sharps Model 1877 rifle with blued barrel, casehardened receiver, lock plate and lever and smooth oil-finished stock and forearm with a checkered iron buttplate. These rifles were made with a ground down Model 1874 action, lock plate and breechblock to be as light as possible and facilitate the use of heaviest barrel that was consistent with the ten pound weight limit for Creedmoor rules target shooting that required rifles to weigh ten pounds or less and have a single trigger, and metallic sights. Only 75 of these rifles were manufactured, serial numbered D1 to D75, 29 in this configuration and all were sold to J.P. Lower, Denver, Colorado. Sharps 1880 catalog referred to these rifles as "Special Model 1874" rifles. The top barrel flat is marked "Old Reliable" in a box and "SHARPS RIFLE CO. BRIDGEPORT, CON" ahead of the rear sight and "CAL 40 2 1/2" on the left flat at the breech. The bottom flat is marked with the numbers "1" and "16". The serial number "D 16" is marked on the upper tang. The barrel is equipped with a small blade front sight on a dove tailed base and folding rear sporting sight absent of graduation markings and marked with the three line Lawrence patent marking on the base. One of the upper tang screws is absent.
BBL: 28 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 40-70
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: D16
Condition: Very good plus. The barrel retains 50% faded original blue finish with a smooth mottled brown patina on the breech end, high edge wear and scattered minor spotting. The remaining surfaces have a smooth brownish and silver gray patina with much of the original casehardening pattern remaining on the action. The forearm shows a number of dents, chips and some loss of wood. There is a hairline crack on the top of the wrist at the tang and scattered minor gouges, dents and scratches on the buttstock. The markings are clear. The action is fine. With very few made and hard use on the Western Plains, these rifles are almost impossible to find in any condition.