Premiere Collector's Firearms Auction - April 20, 21 & 22, 2012
April 20, 21 & 22, 2012
Premiere Collector's Firearms Auction
| Lot #: 1003 | Estimated Price: $30,000 - $55,000 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Extremely Scarce Very Fine One of Only 52 Original Sharps Model 1877 No. 2 Long Range Rifle | |||
           Click on the image(s) above to view a larger version | |||
| Got one to sell | |||
| LOT SOLD | |||
| Serial #: | 161720 | Manufacturer: | Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company |
| Model: | 1877-Rifle | Type: | Rifle |
| Gauge: | 45 | Catalog Page: | 181 |
| Barrel Length: | 34 inch round | Finish: | blue/casehardened |
| Grip: | N/A | Stock: | walnut |
| Class: | Antique | ||
| Condition Rating: | |||
| Description: | Offered here is one of the foremost rarities in Sharps Firearms manufacturing history and is a once in a lifetime opportunity to own. This model is extensively documented in Frank Sellers book Sharps Firearms on pages 246-249. This rifle design was the brainchild of Charles E. Overbaugh, who at the time was the companies chief traveling salesman and exhibition shooter. Mr. Overbaugh's motivation for the design of this rifle was for specific use in Creedmoor rifle matches. The design of this rifle was based around the already existing Model 1874 action "which maintained the 10 pound weight limitation of Creedmoor rules and also had a longer and heavier barrel which gave increased accuracy at the 1,000 yard range used at Creedmoor." Creedmoor rifle rules also called for a single trigger and metallic sights. "Company official referred to the model as the "O" model or "Overbaugh Long-Range", but in advertisements called it the Model 1877." Sharps offered the Model 1877 rifle in three grades. No.1 priced at $125, No.2 priced at $100, and No. 3 priced at $75. While a premium price was commanded for the No.1 models the only difference between that and the No.2 was a silver inscription plate inlaid into the stock. Sharps factory records indicate that only 98 Model 1877 were manufactured and sold. 46 of the No.1 and 52 of the No. 2. This is a very fine example of an extremely rare Sharps Model 1877 No. 2 Long Range Rifle with blued barrel, casehardened receiver, lock plate and lever and checkered oil-finished stock and forearm. The No. 2 stock and forearm feature fancy highly figured walnut with a black horn forend cap and a browned metal pistol grip cap. The rifle has a wind gauge front sight with spirit level, a folding Vernier rear sight on the receiver tang and a tang sight base mounted on the heel of the stock. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the trademark "Old Reliable" in a rectangle followed by "SHARPS RIFLE CO. BRIDGEPORT CONN." in one line. The serial number, "161720" is stamped in tiny letters on the receiver tang ahead of the rear sight base. | ||
| Condition: | Very fine. The barrel retains 70% of the original blue finish and has scattered and very light pitting down the length. The rifle retains approximately half of the dove/gray case colors on the receiver, hammer, lever and buttplate with traces of vibrant case colors in sheltered areas. The markings are crisp. The bore is bright with sharp rifling. The stock and forend are in excellent condition and retain nearly all of the original oil finish. The checkering on the forearm and pistol grip is sharp. Wear on the stock and forearm is limited to some very minor handling marks. This is possibly a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire such a rare and highly desirable rifle. It is not unreasonable to assume this may be the only all original example of a 1877 No. 2 Long Range Rifle offered in a collectors lifetime. | ||
