Lot #541
Lot #543

Lot 542: Churchill Engraved and Inlaid Sharps-Borchardt Model 1878 Rifle

Magnificent Winston Churchill Master Exhibition Quality Relief Engraved and Gold Inlaid Sharps-Borchardt Model 1878 Rifle with Desirable Hard Rubber Side Panels

Auction Date: December 9, 2022

Lot 542: Churchill Engraved and Inlaid Sharps-Borchardt Model 1878 Rifle

Magnificent Winston Churchill Master Exhibition Quality Relief Engraved and Gold Inlaid Sharps-Borchardt Model 1878 Rifle with Desirable Hard Rubber Side Panels

Auction Date: December 9, 2022

Estimated Price: $30,000 - $45,000
Price Realized:

Magnificent Winston Churchill Master Exhibition Quality Relief Engraved and Gold Inlaid Sharps-Borchardt Model 1878 Rifle with Desirable Hard Rubber Side Panels

Manufacturer: Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company
Model: 1878 Borchardt
Type: Rifle
Gauge: 40-50 Sharps Straight
Barrel: 32 inch round
Finish: blue/greyed
Grip:
Stock: highly figured walnut
Item Views: 756
Item Interest: Average
Serial Number:
Catalog Page: 338
Class: Antique
Description:

Offered here is a magnificently engraved and gold inlaid by Winston G. Churchill, one of the America's greatest engravers. The barrel features a gold band at the muzzle with a small spray of floral scroll engraving surrounding the empty front sight dovetail. The "Old Reliable" marking is gold inlaid ahead of the Sharps address. The rear sight is flanked on either side by more floral scroll work with "40 CAL." hand cut on the left and two more sprays emanating from the gold band inlaid at the breech end of the barrel. The greyed receiver features a lone raised relief gold inlaid ram engraved in exacting detail at the center of a mountainous scene on the left and a buck in a wooded scene on the right ahead of lightly engraved hard rubber panels, the left of which is engraved with a "R" and "H.C. Knowlton". Both scenes are surrounded by masterfully executed relief floral scrollwork. The stunning scrollwork is found on all surfaces of the receiver, the sides of the lever, and the outward facing lever surface where it is end capped by intertwining line motifs. The top of the action is signed "W. CHURCHILL ENGR." above the breechblock. Even the most minute details of the rifle, like the screw heads display Churchill's timeless style. The receiver top tang is fitted with a correct Vernier mid-range tang sight. An included appraisal letter from J. R. La Rue states that this rifle was completed over a period of time spanning 1971 to 1976. Another included letter from Churchill himself states at this time he was engraving at Abercrombie and Fitch under Austrian Master Engraver Josef Fugger. The rifle is mounted in an exceptionally well figured multipoint checkered walnut Schnabel tip forend and scroll tip pistol grip buttstock with an inlaid initial escutcheon inscribed "Pete" and nickel plated buttplate. Also included is a set of reloading tools and Winston Churchill engraving related literature.

Rating Definition:

Excellent as engraved and gold inlaid by Master Engraver Winston Churchill, retaining 99% plus custom blue and 97% greyed finishes with limited handling marks, a couple small spots of discoloration on the receiver, and crisp engraving. The Churchill refinished stock is excellent with a couple small nicks and scratches as well as lightly softened checkering. Mechanically excellent. Accessories are very good with some light discoloration on the exposed metal pieces. It is not often one gets the opportunity to own a master work by one of America's premier engravers, Winston Churchill!



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