MR1730 SHARPS 1874 MID-RANGE No. 1 SINGLE SHOT TARGET RIFLE DOCUMENTED TO FACTORY DESIGNER-SHOOTER C.E. OVERBAUGH [A]

Description

MR1730 SHARPS 1874 MID-RANGE No. 1 SINGLE SHOT TARGET RIFLE DOCUMENTED TO FACTORY DESIGNER-SHOOTER C.E. OVERBAUGH.; 30 inch octagon barrel marked SHARPS RIFLE CO BRIDGEPORT CONN  next to a threaded plugged hole ahead of the rear sight seat and CALIBRE 40 at the breech. Sights include a wind gauge globe front with spirit level, a winged filler block in the rear sight position and a mid range vernier peep sight on the tang. Checkered walnut forearm with matching pistol grip buttstock fit with a checkered steel buttplate. Numbers matching on the upper tang, base of the tang sight, back of the buttplate bottom of the barrel and on the back/inside the forearm. Fine condition overall with clean smooth metal surfaces. The barrel shows about 60-70% thinning blued finish remaining. The frame/receiver and lock plate show somewhat faded remnants of color case hardened finish with colors on the hammer more vivid. The action is smooth and locks up tight with everything working just as it should. The refinished stocks are clean and solid with crisp sharp checkering and fit nicely to the action but slightly shy at the toe of the butt. The included letter from collector and Sharps records holder R.L. Moore, states this rifle was unlisted in the Sharps invoice books but found on the warehouse ledgers as having been charged to C.E. Overbaugh via Clark & Sneider of Baltimore, Maryland, at an unrecorded date. Overbaugh was a factory shooter and arms designer, with the “German pattern” (Schuetzen) variant 1874 and the 1877 “English Model” rifles attributed as their development work, as well as one of Sharps’ lead salesmen. The Moore letter further proposes that the lack of invoice suggests a “factory gun” intended for demonstration and testing purposes, possibly used in exhibition shoots to help sell the Sharps to prospective clients.

ANTIQUE   $ 8,875.