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RARE Sharps 1878 Borchardt No. 1 Mid-Range Single Shot Rifle With Factory Letter

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:25.00 - 500,000.00 USD
RARE Sharps 1878 Borchardt No. 1 Mid-Range Single Shot Rifle With Factory Letter
Made by the Sharps Rifle Company of Bridgeport, Connecticut in 1879. According to the Factory letter, this rifle was shipped to John P. Moore & Sons of New York City on December 8, 1879. Moore was one of Sharps best customers and according to research probably bought the most of any dealer. J.P. Moore was a New York City sporting goods dealer starting circa 1859 until 1888 when Schoverling Daly and Gates purchased the business. This business was in a prime location near the Creedmoor range on Long Island. These rifles are rare with "Frank Seller's" listing of 215 made in his book "Sharp's Firearms". This rifle features a 30" blued round tapered barrel with "New Model" spirit level Wind gauge sight with "Old Reliable" barrel marking with Sharps address and rear graduated Lawrence flip sight. Case-hardened action serial number "17546" underlever with hard rubber action panels. Action has plain faced trigger in standard configuration. Tang fitted with mid-range Vernier measuring 4-1/4" from top to pivot point. Figured American walnut checkered pistol grip stock with "zig-zag" pattern. Stock is fitted with unmarked checkered hard rubber butt plate and hard rubber plain pistol grip cap. Matching walnut checkered Schnabel forearm with palm rest plate. Comes with factory letter. J.T. Livengood Collection. CALIBER: 40-70 - 2-1/2. S/N: 17546. FFL STATUS: Antique.
CONDITION
Retains 95% original blue with light freckling due to poor storage. 80% fading original case colors with areas turning a silver patina and freckling. Dark oil-soaked finish with sharp checkering. Good bore with good mechanics. A super honest rifle!