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3552

1874 BRIDGEPORT SHARPS SINGLE SHOT BUFFALO RIFLE.

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:2,750.00 USD Estimated At:5,500.00 - 8,500.00 USD
1874 BRIDGEPORT SHARPS SINGLE SHOT BUFFALO RIFLE.
Cal. 40-90 Sharps Necked. S# 155251. Bbl. 30” medium weight oct. marked “Old Reliable” & “SHARPS RIFLE CO. BRIDGEPORT. CONN." on top flat & “CAL. 40 2 5/8” (40 90 Bottle neck) on left flat. Bottom is stamped w/ S# which matches action in all respects. Rifle is sighted w/ single very fine notch rear & tall brass blade front. Casehardened action w/ right hand lock & w/ Bridgeport hammer is fitted w/ dbl. set triggers, one of the most popular extra cost items. Buttstock of plain American walnut has crescent steel buttplate. Forend is of a later schnabeled type. WEIGHT: 12 lbs. 6 oz. CONDITION: good, original “as found”. This rifle has certainly “been there” exhibiting hard usage in outdoor environment but still w/ traces of original blue on bbl. under what is mostly dark brown patina. Action & lock retain a considerable amount of their casehardening color, mostly found on lock where protected by hammer, on action & other areas where protected. Stocks do not appear to have ever been refinished but show considerable wear, most likely due to being ridden through sage brush, etc. Some marks are quite deep & it appears that right side of butt got too close to a campfire one night & is somewhat scorched. Two tacks are driven into toeline of butt near buttplate. Forend shows considerable wood loss at front bbl. channel, again w/ considerable deep marks w/ subsequent wear, mostly on right side. Although the exterior condition is a bit rough, bore was obviously well cared for & is quite shiny w/ strong rifling throughout w/ scattered light pitting at breech end. The 40-90 Necked Sharps was introduced in 1873 & “became one of the more popular cartridges. The hollow point express bullets made by Sharps were designed to accept a 22 rimfire blank which was supposed to provide explosive expansion & better "knock down". (Per CARTRIDGES OF THE WORLD). A great old Sharps rifle. (01-17445/MGM92). ANTIQUE. $5,500-8,500.
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