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SHARPS MODEL 1874 BUSINESS 40 RIFLE.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,750.00 USD Estimated At:3,500.00 - 5,000.00 USD
SHARPS MODEL 1874 BUSINESS 40 RIFLE.
SN 158901. Cal. 40-50 Sharps Bottleneck. Fine Sharps hunting rifle with 28" medium to heavy rnd bbl, Sharps front sight & Lawrence patent 800 yd ladder rear sight. Top of bbl has the "Old Reliable" cartouche & Bridgeport address. It has double-set triggers. Mounted with uncheckered, straight grain American walnut with Sharps rnd forearm & straight stock with Sharps smooth steel buttplate. Receiver & bbl have matching SN's while the buttstock, buttplate, lockplate & trigger plate has last four digits of SN "8891". According to Sharps Firearms, Sellers, there were total of 700 Business 40 rnd bbl rifles built at Bridgeport prior to cessation of production in Sept. 1880. This model of Sharps was produced to fill demand for a less expensive hunting rifle. Most saw hard service and are rarely found today with orig finish. This likely explains the mismatched parts. CONDITION: Fine. Exposed part of the bbl retains a blue/brown patina with strong blue under the forearm. Receiver, lockplate, hammer & trigger plate retain about 60-70% silvered case colors with the balance flaked to a dark patina. Wood is sound with a few light nicks & scratches and retains an old restored finish with hand-worn patina. Mechanics are fine. Bright, shiny bore. 4-49597 JR267