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Rare and Desirable Sharps Model 1877 No. 1 Long Range Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:11,000.00 USD Estimated At:27,500.00 - 42,500.00 USD
Rare and Desirable Sharps Model 1877 No. 1 Long Range Rifle
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Estimate: $27500 - 42500
This is a very fine example of an extremely rare Sharps Model 1877 No. 1 Long Range Rifle. Sharps manufactured only about 46 No. 1 Long range rifles between January 1877 to March 1879. At the time the original price for the No 1 was $125.00. A total of 98 Model 1877 Long Range rifle were made, (52 No. 2). A No. 3 was listed in the 1877 catalog for $75.00 although there is no idication in factory records that one was ever sold. The No. 1 stock and forearm feature fancy highly figured checkered walnut with a black horn forend cap and a browned metal pistol grip cap. The top of the barrel is marked "Old Reliable" followed by "SHARPS RIFLE CO. BRIDGEPORT CONN." and the matching serial number is marked on upper tang and bottom of the barrel under the forearm. The bottom of the barrel is also stamped "074401982". The barrel is fitted with a wind gauge front sight with spirit level, a folding vernier rear sight is mounted on the receiver tang and a tang sight base mounted on the heel of the stock. The barrel is blue and the remaining parts are casehardened. The Model 1877 rifle was designed for Creedmoor rule target shooting that required rifles to weigh ten pounds or less and have a single trigger and metallic sights. The Model 1877 receiver and breechblock were designed to be as light as possible and facilitate use of the heaviest barrel that was consistent with the ten-pound weight limitation.
BBL: 34 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 45
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 161720
Condition: Very fine. The barrel retains 70% of the faded original blue finish and has scattered very light pitting overall. The The receiver, hammer, lever and buttplate retain 50% of the dove gray case colors. The wood is excellent retaining nearly all of the original oil finish showing some minor dings and handling marks, and sharp checkering. The markings are crisp. The action is excellent. This is a very fine example of a rare and very desirable Sharps Model 1877 Rifle. One may look most of their life to find another one of these for sale!