1855 Sharps Rifle Co. M1853 Octagon Sporting Rifle (26") W/ Letter, 60 Bore (.44 Cal.),

View Item in Catalog
 
  Lot #4 
Time Remaining:
updating... left to bid!
High Bid: USD 1,600.00
by D****g
by YOU!

Placing your bid. please wait...

You've been outbid. Bid again.

You Entered:
Your bid is between increments. How about one of these instead?

x Cancel
By clicking the Confirm Bid button, you are agreeing to the terms of sale.
Please do not show confirmation for remainder of session.
"Tax, Shipping & Handling and Internet Premium not included. See Auction Information for full details."

Payment Type:

Payment Type: Please Add / Select Card

Need help with bidding? Get Help


 
Description Terms of Sale
Item Description: Translate description
This Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Co. Falling-Block Single-Shot Rifle comes with a letter from Richard J. Labowskie, M.D. (maintainer of the original Sharps factory records) stating: "Sharps rifle Serial #12317 has been located in an index of serial numbers created by Sellers (Frank Seller - Sharps historian & author) and his associates from an original source now not located. It is listed therein as a Model 1853 Octagon Sporting Rifle and was entered as being 60 Bore, or about .44 caliber, with a date of June 30, 1885. This date may represent the day of being invoiced for sale, or it may serve just as the date of completion of manufacture". Markings include: "SHARPS/ PATENT/1852" on the sideplate, "SHARPS RIFLE/ MFG & CO./ HARTFORD CONN" on the top of the barrel and "SHARPS/ PATENT/1848" & "12317" on the receiver tang. SPECS: 26" Octagon barrel with floral scroll engravings at the breech and symmetrical patterns on the rear band & muzzle, slant style receiver, color casehardened receiver/ sideplate/ patch box & hammer, American black walnut stock with deep-cut diamond checkering on the forearm, early style single screw base folding tang sight with sliding elevation bar & nitro-blued finish, Model 1852-type folding rear sight with sliding elevation bar, hooded globe front sight with brass bead post, curved metal butt plate, double-set trigger and checkered hammer. This rifle comes with a "Sharps Firearms" book by Frank Sellers and a "Sharps Firearms - The Percussion Era 1848-1865" book by Roy Marcot, Ron Paxton and Edward W. Marron, Jr. CONDITION: This rifle is in nice condition for its age & appears to be all original, has a beautiful sharp/ clean bore and appears to be in good working order. HISTORY: Sharps rifles are a series of large-bore, single-shot, falling-block, breech-loading rifles, beginning with a design by Christian Sharps in 1848 and ceasing production in 1881. The Sharps Model 1853 Sporting Rifle, also known as the "Beecher's Bible" or "John Brown Sharps," was produced by the Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company in the 1850s. Approximately 2,970 Model 1853 Sharps Sporting Rifles were produced between 1854 and 1859. They were available in various configurations, including different barrel lengths, calibers, and with optional engraving. The rifle was nicknamed "Beecher's Bible" because it was shipped in crates labeled as "Bibles" to bypass pro-slavery restrictions in Kansas where anti-slavery settlers were using them. John Brown used Model 1853 rifles in his raid on Harpers Ferry where he attempted to seize the U.S. Arsenal to start an armed slave rebellion. The Sharps rifle, in various models, was also used by Union soldiers during the U.S. Civil War, particularly by riflemen known as "Berdan's Sharpshooters". In the film "Quigley Down Under," Tom Selleck's character, Matthew Quigley, famously uses a custom-made Sharps Long Range Rifle. SHIPPING - We offer free shipping anywhere within the continental US. All firearms must be sent to an FFL (or C&R if applicable) regardless of age or caliber. This includes antiques & muzzleloaders. PLEASE READ ALL TERMS BEFORE PARTICIPATING: There is no live crowd, no phone bidding, no left bids and we do not accept payment through the mail.

Unable to retrieve AutoCheck Summary Report, please try back later.


Summary Vehicle History Report below provided by AutoCheck.

AutoCheck® vehicle history reports deliver information on reported accidents, odometer rollback, lemon vehicles, branded titles and much more.

AutoCheck found record(s) for this   


VIN:

Style/Body:

Engine:


Get the full report to learn more:

Know the exact vehicle you want? One report may be all you need.  Single Report $24.99

Researching more than one vehicle? Run as many reports as you like for 21 days Unlimited Reports for 21 Days $44.99
This item is part of Firearms & Early Military Assets
 Friday, May 2, 2025 | 10:48 AM  Central
 
Print This Page

1855 Sharps Rifle Co. M1853 Octagon Sporting Rifle (26") W/ Letter, 60 Bore (.44 Cal.),
1855 Sharps Rifle Co. M1853 Octagon Sporting Rifle (26") W/ Letter, 60 Bore (.44 Cal.),
Lot number: 4
Seller: Will Sullivan Auction Co.
Event: Firearms & Early Military Assets
Ends: Saturday, June 14 | 10:01 AM  Central

Message: 500 characters remaining

Cancel 

1.178.0.1819.d18c6b8.24.133