1874 Sharps
What is the front to rear dimension of the breech block, measured on the CL of the bore[?]
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what would an original 1874 sporting octagon rifle in 45-70 be worth, this is my wifes gun it is lettered as original and still shoots great i do know it sold for 42 dollars in 1877 and my wifes great grand father purchased it for 1.50 in a pawn shop in the early 1900s 0 -
quote:Originally posted by idahordnk
what would an original 1874 sporting octagon rifle in 45-70 be worth, this is my wifes gun it is lettered as original and still shoots great i do know it sold for 42 dollars in 1877 and my wifes great grand father purchased it for 1.50 in a pawn shop in the early 1900s
As with most anything, a used car, house, etc., it depends upon condition. Also, on Sharps rifles where it was shipped plays a factor in value, as those rifles shipped out west are more in demand than one sent to eastern states. So with that said, I would say a minimum of $3-4000 if it's in "good" condition, and possibly considerably higher depending upon its exact state of preservation.
John0 -
it was actually shipped to Sharpes western dealer Ben Kitterage and Company of Cincinatti Ohio. But theres more with this rifle is a letter postmarked 1922 written by an Henery F. Hackett asking his freind to retrive the " the old Sharps rifle" and tells some of its history it crossed the plains twice, has killed 7 Sioux and lots of buffalo. how much would this kindof documentation add to any value? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by idahordnk
it was actually shipped to Sharpes western dealer Ben Kitterage and Company of Cincinatti Ohio. But theres more with this rifle is a letter postmarked 1922 written by an Henery F. Hackett asking his freind to retrive the " the old Sharps rifle" and tells some of its history it crossed the plains twice, has killed 7 Sioux and lots of buffalo. how much would this kindof documentation add to any value?
Value like that is very subjective, and depends upon how strong the supporting documentation is. For example if the 1922 letter notes the rifle by serial number, that (to me) is a big plus. If it is not noted by sn that I might wonder if the rifle and the letter were "married" at some point during the past 87 years. You need to start to establish a chain of provenance on the rifle, and do some research on Henry F. Hackett.
It has the potential to be extremely valuable, but it's all in the provenance.
John0 -
Where is the letter postmarked or sent from? 0 -
Thank you. I will reasearch the name some more there r actually 4 names in the letter and Henery F Hackett was mining gold in Jefferson county Mont ill try to start there. but there is no serial number in the letter to match the rifle I ll ask my father in law how the letter ended up w the rifle. Good points thanks again 0 -
the letter is postmarked June 14 1922 Amazon Mont 0 -
I'll email some census info re. Hackett 0 -
Thanks appericiate all the help I can get. THe letter is adressed to a R.V. Allen the other Names are barly ledgible. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by idahordnk
what would an original 1874 sporting octagon rifle in 45-70 be worth, this is my wifes gun it is lettered as original and still shoots great i do know it sold for 42 dollars in 1877 and my wifes great grand father purchased it for 1.50 in a pawn shop in the early 1900s
I've been following this. May be a very valuable firearm. Now, down to nuts 'n bolts:
Item in blue..lettered by whom? Is the letter a company/curator communique that focuses on this particular rifle? "Lettering" a firearm is usually a requested archival search. The company in the letter tells us the configuration/cost/where shipped to/caliber, etc.
Item in orange..do you have that information written down (sales slip,bill of lading, shipping manifest, etc)?
As you may see, you are very close to, but not up to having a firearm with provenance. If you would care to do so, post a few good photos for us to look at, and we'll start by giving you the value of an "un-lettered" firearm. Best, Joe0 -
quote:Originally posted by givette
quote:Originally posted by idahordnk
what would an original 1874 sporting octagon rifle in 45-70 be worth, this is my wifes gun it is lettered as original and still shoots great i do know it sold for 42 dollars in 1877 and my wifes great grand father purchased it for 1.50 in a pawn shop in the early 1900s
I've been following this. May be a very valuable firearm. Now, down to nuts 'n bolts:
Item in blue..lettered by whom? Is the letter a company/curator communique that focuses on this particular rifle? "Lettering" a firearm is usually a requested archival search. The company in the letter tells us the configuration/cost/where shipped to/caliber, etc.
Item in orange..do you have that information written down (sales slip,bill of lading, shipping manifest, etc)?
As you may see, you are very close to, but not up to having a firearm with provenance. If you would care to do so, post a few good photos for us to look at, and we'll start by giving you the value of an "un-lettered" firearm. Best, Joe
With the information he has (shipping date, where shipped, etc.), dollars to donuts it's a factory letter from Sharps, similar to Colt factory letters. At this time the oriignal Sharps shipping records are held by a private individual who charges a fee to research a specific serial number.
John0 -
The letter head reads Armory of the Sharps Rifle Company E.G. Wescott president and Treasurer and is signed R.L. Moore, Jr , M. D. This gun was invoiced april 5, 1877 to sharpes western dealer ben kitterage and Company of cincinatti ohio. It is noted as a Model 1874 Sporting Octagon Rifle. The caliber was .45 and it had a full 30" octagon barrel as well as double set triggers and oil finished stocks. The list price was $42 and the weight was 10 lbs 12 oz. Ive been trying to get the photos posted to get some more accurate insight 0
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