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Custom Left-Hand Sharps Model 1874 Sporting Rifle
Guns International #: 101938118 Seller's Inventory #: 001
Category: Left Hand Rifles - Sharps Rifles - Replica
Seller's Information
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Seller: Joe Do
Member Since: 5/8/22
First Name: Joseph
Last Name: Dobrzynski
State: Illinois
Zip: 60467
Country: United States
Phone: (708) 655-8228
Number of Active Listings: 0
Total Number of Listings: 2
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Cashiers Check, Money Order
Description:
Custom Left-Hand Sharps Model 1874 Sporting Rifle
Custom Left-Hand Sharps Model 1874 Sporting rifle; Serial No.: 52; Caliber: .45 2-1/10 (.45-70 GOVT); 30" tapered octagonal barrel; the bore is mint.
This custom left-hand Sharps Model 1874 rifle was made by John Gillette, Tinley Park, Illinois. John was a machinist, collector and shooter who eventually moved over to custom gunmaking and metal finishing at his shop, Classic Guns Inc, where he was best known for his vivid case-colors. Unfortunately John passed away on Mar 7, 2022.
Being left-handed, John purchased and copied an original Sharps sporting rifle in 1986 and reverse-engineered all of the measurements to build a custom rifle for himself.
This rifle has a 30” tapered octagonal barrel (measuring 0.838” at the muzzle). The blued metal finish shows a high polish. The barrel is likely by McGowen Precision Barrels. That's who John used primarily for all his custom guns. It could be Badger but we'll never know now.
The rifle is chambered for the 45-70 GOVT cartridge. The barrel is marked on the right flat " 45-70 GOVT. 2-1/10 " and “ JOHN R GILLETTE “ on the top flat. Under the forearm the barrel is marked “ COMPLETED APR, 10 1986 | 418 HRS. “
The action's finish is bone and charcoal case-hardened and all the screws are polished and rust-blued.
The hammer 'clicks' are crisp. The lock must have a very strong mainspring.
The rifle is equipped with double-set triggers. The rear 'set' trigger takes a little effort to set. There must be another substantial spring behind it. It is not light. The front "firing" trigger is crisp but also not a light trigger pull.
The rifle was stocked using exhibition grade Circassian walnut with a semi-gloss finish and a reproduction Sharps hard rubber buttplate. The forearm has a pewter tip. The pistol grip and forend are checkered.
The rifle has a windage adjustable front sight and a mid-range vernier tang sight; both made by John. Note that the Vernier screw is on the opposite side of a traditional sight (for a left-handed shooter).
John did shoot this rifle and there is some light wear in the case colors where the receiver is grooved to load cartridges. This rifle is in excellent condition. The action locks up like a bank vault, the set triggers work and the bore is mint. There are a few very minor marks on the top of the comb from the tang sight’s eye cup hitting it. Please see all of the photos.
This rifle is truly one-of-a-kind !
I am not a gunsmith or machinist or an expert of anything. Please ask detailed questions.
SOLD
Rifle Caliber: .45-70 Government
Model: 1874
Serial Number: 52
Bore: Mint
Condition: Excellent