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ICONIC SHARPS 1874 "BIG 50" SINGLE SHOT RIFLE.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:7,500.00 USD Estimated At:15,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
ICONIC SHARPS 1874  BIG 50  SINGLE SHOT RIFLE.

Cal. 50, 2 1/2". S# 158298. Among the most famed rifles of the Buffalo hunting era was the Sharps Model 1874 "Big 50" or "14 Pounder". Bbl. 30" full oct. measuring 1 3/16" across flats. Dovetail mounted German silver blade front sight w/ Lawrence patent folding leaf rear sight. Top flat forward of rear sight is marked "OLD RELIABLE" in a rectangular box followed by "SHARPS RIFLE CO., BRIDGEPORT, CONN." address. Flat forward of action is marked "CAL 50" w/ the 2 1/2" case length marking found on right flat. Bbl. underneath forearm is numbered to match receiver. Lever operated single shot action w/ dbl. set triggers. S# is located across top tang receiver flat. Schnabel tipped walnut forearm & straight grip stock w/ steel carbine style buttplate. Weight: 14 lbs. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: a Sharps Rifle Co. letter dated Aug 28, 2013 signed by Richard J Labowskie, MD. Letter states "Sharps rifle serial # 158298 cannot be located direct in the Order Books of the Sharps Rifle Company. It does appear, however, on an un-numbered, un-dated Shipping Memorandom" "The memorandum noted # 158298 to be a Model 1874 Sporting Rifle shipped to N. Curry & Bro., gun and sporting goods dealers of San Francisco, California. It was noted to be .50 caliber, case length not specified, with a 30 inch full octagon barrel, double triggers, open sights and oil finished stocks". Also included is a letter of documentation from H. H. Miller dated 9-5-2013. This letter credits the discovery of this rifle to a collector in the San Antonio, Texas area. CONDITION: bbl. retains some faded blue blending w/ dark patina that continues to the action showing scattered dents & spots of corrosion & light pitting. Bbl. & receiver markings are largely intact. Wood has age darkened worn appearance w/ numerous dents & handling marks. Bottom of forearm has a sm. crack extending from action w/ lg. missing chip at front along bbl. channel. Stock has poor fit to buttplate chips & hairline cracks. Set triggers operate properly. Bore has general pitting retaining largely intact rifling. (01-20147/DS). ANTIQUE. $15,000-20,000.