SOLD
6,000.00USDto floor+ buyer's premium
This item SOLD at 2013 Oct 15 @ 13:44UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT
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SN 37. Cal. 50-70. Typical Indian used carbine with 22" rnd bbl, homemade Rocky Mountain style front sight blade, missing the Lawrence patent ladder rear sight. Sling, ring & bar were removed from the left side in typical Indian fashion. Lock plate has faint orig markings and the SN has been removed. Mounted with straight grain, uncheckered American walnut with rnd Sharps forearm secured with a single band & straight stock with Sharps carbine buttplate. This carbine shows incredible hard frontier use with extraordinary saddle bow wear on the forearm. Bottom of the bbl under the forearm is stamped with "37". This carbine is reliably reported as having been purchased by a collector named Don Rickey in 1951 from an Indian family at Crow Agency, Montana, while he was the historian at the Little Bighorn Battlefield. He later reports that while working for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) in Washington, he discovered a contract for the purchase of 14 Sharps rifles to be delivered to Crow Agency in 1875. Accompanied by a letter dated Dec 9, 2004 to renowned Custer historian and collector, Glen Swanson, from another Custer Battlefield collector and historian, Dick Harmon of Lincoln, Nebraska wherein Mr. Harmon relates his knowledge of the history of this carbine. In this letter, he refers to the "35", obviously a mistake on Mr. Harmons part, as being stamped on the bottom of the bbl under the forearm which is simply an error on his part. He states that he believes this was done by the Crow Agency as a means of identifying it as a BIA firearm. He notes also that the sling ring bar has been removed "which was a very commom practice by the indians". Mr. Harmon further relates that Mr. Rickey and his son fired this carbine and so did Mr. Harmon. Also accompanying are several copies of pages from the BIA contract book #15, Crow Agency, Montana 1875, pg 306. These copies disclose a contract with Walter Cooper of Bozeman, Montana Territory "to deliver to Crow Agency, Montana on or before Fifteenth day of May, 1875, Fourteen (14) rifles known as Sharps Army rifle adapted to the 50 caliber C.F. cartridge, the same to be new and in good order and condition, at the rate of thirty four dollars and ninety three cents ($34.93) each". While this documentation does not specifically address a particular rifle or carbine, given the historical provenance there can be little doubt that this carbine did originate at Crow Agency and the probability is that it was one of the 14 purchased from Walter Cooper, most likely to arm Crow Agency police. Equally true, there could be no doubt whatsoever that this carbine saw hard and continuous use by Indians. That it is not tack decorated lends credence to the idea that it was used by Indian police. CONDITION: Poor. No orig finish remains with the bbl being a cleaned gray patina with heavy pitting. Receiver, lock plate, lever, hammer & buttplate all retain a very dark brown patina with moderate to heavy pitting. Forearm has a major split at the bottom rear end with slivers of wood missing and shows incredible saddle bow wear on the bottom with a couple of other cracks & slivers of wood missing. Stock has a crack in back of the top tang and a couple of hairlines back of the lockplate with several weather grain checks & retains a hand-worn patina. Sling ring bar is missing as noted and the lever latch is missing, along with the rear tang screw. Mechanics are fine. Worn, very dark bore. 4-49072 JR277
Auction Location:
203 Skowhegan Rd, Fairfield, Maine, 04937, United States
Previewing Details:
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, October 11-13, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., October 14, 15 & 16, 8:00–10:00 a.m.
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
21% |
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CONDITIONS OF SALE - PLEASE READ
Please be sure to read the conditions before participating in the sale.
For years, we have worked hard to develop a reputation for honesty and fairness. We have tried to apply this same principle in preparing this particular sale. So that you might know what the limitations are for this sale, we have tried to clearly outline the conditions below, which will specifically indicate how various circumstances will be handled.
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A. TIME LIMIT: For live bidders it is expected that you have examined the items before you purchased them and that as you pick them up, you will re-examine them one last time. If there is a problem regarding condition, it is expected that you would notify us immediately before leaving the auction facility. If you are an absentee bidder then it is your responsibility to examine the lot immediately upon receipt. If a major discrepancy should be discovered, it is your responsibility to contact us immediately. Please note: All guarantees and options for refunds or adjustment become null and void 45 days after the auction. We pay consignors on the 45th day. Once we have paid our consignors we no longer have control for the payment and under no circumstances can we consider any refunds. If you suspect that there is a major discrepancy or problem with authenticity of your lot, it is your responsibility to contact our office before the 45 days are up and let us know that you need some extra time. We can usually make arrangements to extend the guarantee for a few days if you personally advise us. Please note: If you pay late and thus, receive your items late, it does not qualify for special privileges. The guarantee is null and void 45 days after the auction. It is your responsibility to pay for and acquire your purchases in a timely fashion. So if there is a major discrepancy, you have time to notify our office. Please remember that if you call us 46 days after the auction, there is nothing we can do about a major discrepancy except apologize to you. If you want to be considered for an adjustment or refund, it is your responsibility to notify us within 45 days after the auction.
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