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Collector’s Fact
According to author Frank Sellers, only 606 Sharps Model 1852 Slant Breech sporting rifles were manufactured, of which only 6 were listed as “extra engraved” in 90 Bore.
LOT 70 Very Scarce Factory “Extra Fine Engraved” Sharps Model 1852 Slant Breech Octagon Barrel Percussion Sporting Rifle - Serial no.
3191, 38 cal., 28 1/4 inch part octagon bbl., brown/casehardened/silver finish, walnut stock. The Sharps Model 1852 Sporting Rifle is one on of the rarest
Sharps variations with only 606 manufactured in June 1853 to July 1855. Only approximately nine 90 bores were engraved. Of those, only six are listed “extra
engraved.”The engraving on this beyond. “Ex
rifle is an even higher grade than the “extra engraved” and is more in line with the “extra fine engraved” or even tra fine engraved” is not even noted for this model by Sellers in “Sharps
Firearms or in “Sharps Firearms: The Percussion Era” by Marcott, Paxton, and Marron. The near full coverage engraving on the hammer is one of the
easiest to spot differences, but also note the more extensive panels of scroll engraving on the barrel at the front sight on the upper three flats, on the top flat midway between the front sight and rear sight, in front of the rear sight, and on the upper three flats in the breech section; the essentially full-coverage engraving on the frame, lever, lock, and patch box; the inclusion of an urn full of fruit and flowers on the right side of the
frame, the dog head on inhabiting the scroll engraving on the lock plate, sun burst pattern
on the top of the frame at the breech, the interesting exclamation point type design on the left side
of the frame, and the engraved oval silver plaque on the left side of the stock. The engraving also extends onto the
heel tang of the buttplate. The engraving primarily consists of the German-American scroll engraving associated with Master
Engraver Gustave Young who is known to have engraved many of the finest early Sharps rifles. The forend has a pewter forend cap and a small silver plate on the left around the spring pin. It also features a brass blade
front sight with dovetailed base, “squirrel ear” rear sight, tang peep sight, adjustable double set triggers, “SHARP’S RIFLE/MANUFG CO/HARTFORD. CONN.” on top of the barrel at the breech (early variation due to a die cutting error),
C. SHARPS/PATENT/1848” on the upper tang, “C. SHARPS/PATENT./1852” on the lock, and matching serial numbers found on the barrel, forend, breechblock, upper tang, and patch box. CONDITION: Very good with crisp engraving and markings, mostly a mix of faded original brown finish and mottle gray and brown patina on the barrel, traces of original case colors and otherwise silver-gray and darker gray patina on the frame and lock, aged patina on the brass patch box and buttplate, attractive aged patina on the re-pinned silver inlay which has some dents, and mild overall wear. The refinished wood is also very good and has mild scratches and dings and a slight flake above the tail of the lock. Mechanically excellent. This is a solid representative example of a factory engraved Sharps Model 1852 Slant Breech with considerably higher than standard grade engraving that will make a fine addition to any
collection of Sharps or antique American firearms. It would definitely be difficult to find a more attractive Model 1852. Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
“
Documented Sharps Model 1874 No. 3 Long Range Single Shot Rifle with Factory Letter - Serial no. 156288, 44 Sharps 2 5/8 cal., 34 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Sharps manufactured only 429 of these Model 1874 Long Range rifles from 1875 to 1879, and only 75 were No. 3 rifles. The letter lists this rifle as invoiced at the Bridgeport factory on June 23, 1876, to William Read & Sons of Boston, Massachusetts and also states, “This rifle was a single gun order from the Read firm, probably for a specific customer who was caught up in the long-range shooting craze that was at its height at this very time... .44 caliber, using the 95 grain 2 & 5/8 inch shell... ordered with a spirit level attached to the windage sight for which there was an extra $5 charge.” It weighs just over 9 pounds. The barrel is fitted with a windage adjustable front globe sight (modern replacement), and the upper tang is equipped with a long range Vernier peep sight. Marked “SHARPS RIFLE CO. BRIDGEPORT, CONN.” and “CALIBRE 44” on top of the barrel and “SHARPS RIFLE CO./PAT. APR 6 1869” on the left side of the receiver. The matching serial number “156288” is marked on the bottom of the barrel, upper tang (hidden under tang sight), and on the left side of the tang sight base. The partial matching serial number “6288” is marked in the forearm channel. Mounted with a multi-point checkered walnut forearm and straight grip stock with a checkered iron buttplate. CONDITION: Very good as mostly turned to a gray patina with traces of case coloring on the lock, some scattered light spotting and some small scattered patches of light pitting. Wood is fine with scattered dents and scratches, a small crack on the left front of the forearm, and light wear to the checkering with one dent below the wrist. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 71
Collector’s Fact
Of the 429 Sharps Model 1874 Long Range Rifles produced, only 75 were No. 3 rifles.