This is an extraordinary Large Frame Model lever action sporting rifle that was manufactured by Bullard Repeating Arms Co. of Springfield, Massachusetts, c. 1886. This deluxe rifle has a 28 inch full octagon barrel chambered for the 40-90 Bullard cartridge, half-magazine, and checkered, highly figured, fancy grain forearm and pistol grip stock. The barrel has a sporting style front sight with nickel silver blade and a buckhorn, sporting style rear sight. The receiver has a sliding dust cover with grooved rear edges. The hammer has borderless knurling on the spur. The upper receiver tang is factory drilled and tapped. The barrel, half-magazine, forearm cap, dust cover, breechblock, loading gate and lower tang have a high polish blue finish. The receiver, hammer, lever and trigger are color casehardened with vivid case colors. The highly figured walnut stock and forearm have checkered panels and a high polish piano finish. The stock has a black hard rubber and checkered shotgun style buttplate embossed with "BULLARD/REPT'G ARMS" and an elk head. The top of the receiver is roll-stamped "Cal/40/90" in three lines near the junction with the barrel. "BULLARD REPEATING ARMS COMPANY/SPRINGFIELD MASS U.S. PAT. AUG. 16, 1881" is roll stamped in two-lines on the left side of the receiver below the ejection port. The serial number is stamped on the upper receiver immediately behind the hammer. Bullard rifles were high quality and well designed but were unable to compete with larger and better established manufacturers of lever action rifles. Provenance: Robert M. Leet and Gillespie collections.

Excellent plus. This rifle is all original and remains in near new condition. The rifle retains nearly 98% of the blue and vivid casehardened finish. The high polish blue finish on the barrel, magazine and other components have only the slightest collector handling marks. The receiver, hammer and lever have 90% of the fiery case colors. The highly figured walnut stock and forearm are both excellent and have nearly all of the high polish piano finish with sharp checkering. Wear is limited to a few very minor storage marks. The action functions perfectly. This is truly an outstanding example of a scarce deluxe Bullard Large Frame lever action sporting rifle, one which would be nearly impossible to improve upon!