Catalog Auction info Auction #128 - Two-Day Sale, November 21st & 22nd (#128) 11/21/2020 9:00 AM EST Closed Starts Ending 11/21/2020 9:00 AM EST Auction Info Lot #180 Rare Factory Engraved Sharps Model 1853 Sporting Rifle Presented to New York Businessman and United States Congressman James M. Marvin Click image to enlarge PreviousNextSimilar Items Lot closed - Sold Price (Including Buyer`s Premium):$9,000 Estimate: $10,000 - $15,000 Description Description: serial #9404, 60 bore (.44 caliber), 25" barrel with a deeply rifled bore that shows pitting. This rifle is listed in factory records as "Fine Engraved" which is the second highest of the four levels of engraving offered. The frame and hammer show full coverage punch dot shaded scroll engraving. Also showing heavy engraving are the triggerguard, patchbox, buttplate tang, barrel breech and there is an engraved border at the muzzle as well. The left side of the stock shows a shield shaped silver presentation plate which is engraved "Presented to / James M. Marvin / by / M.D.B. / New Years / 1855". The rifle is equipped with its original adjustable double set triggers which seem to set and trip properly however the hammer does not hold on cock or half cock. The condition of the rifle is quite nice with the barrel showing an even gray brown patina with the high edges showing more gray and with some scattered light pitting. The barrel address remains clear and fully legible. The action is a pleasing brown patina overall with some fine pitting which is confined mostly to the top surfaces of the action to the front and rear of the breechblock. The engraving is in very full coverage leaving little room around the factory markings which all remain clear and fully legible. The walnut stocks rate very good plus with a lot of original finish remaining and with normal light handling marks. There is some light chipping just ahead of the action on the bottom of the forend, the pewter forend tip is in place and shows a lovely patina. The patchbox and other furniture show a pleasing even brown patina with some scattered light oxidation staining but they remain quite smooth. The presentation plaque shows a wonderful undisturbed rich tarnished patina overall and it fits very nicely. The rifle is sighted with its original folding rear barrel sight and a modern globe front. James M. Marvin was born in Ballston New York in 1809 and moved to Saratoga Springs in 1828 where he engaged in the hotel business. By 1839 he was a proprietor in the grand United States Hotel in Saratoga Springs. He was a member of the Whig party and was a representative in the New York Assembly in 1846. He went on to be a three term Republican Congressman serving during the end of the Civil War from 1863 to 1869. He later founded and served as president of the First National Bank of Saratoga Springs, he also served as a director of the Schenectady and Saratoga Railroad as well as the New York Central Railroad. The identity of the presenter "M.D.B." is unknown. More diligent research could uncover the identity of the individual, clearly they were a person of means at the time it was presented. In addition to confirming the engraving on this rifle, the factory records show the rifle shipped on December 12, 1854 just 20 days prior to the presentation. There were only 53 of these 60 bore engraved 1853 sporting rifles ever made. A rare, fine and desirable factory engraved presentation Sharps sporting rifle worthy of the finest collection of Sharps arms. (1F9670-230) {ANTIQUE} [David & Lore Squier Collection] (10,000/15,000) Categories: firearm Terms and conditions TERMS & CONDITIONS OF SALE The following paragraphs represent the terms under which all sales by Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. are conducted. Bidding on any item in the sale indicates the bidder’s full acceptance and understanding of all terms and conditions of sale. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. has taken great care in the preparation of the descriptions in this catalog. Although we believe everything in the descriptions to be true, we do not guarantee any part of any description. We recommend that the bidders view the items in person and form their own opinions as to condition, originality, origin, etc. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will consider all requests for refunds. If a customer is unhappy with a purchase, we will be happy to discuss a remedy with them. All requests for refunds must be made within 30 days of the sale date. Therefore, it is important that absentee bidders pay for their items in a timely fashion. All requests for refunds received after 30 days of the sale date will not be considered. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. reserves the right to reject any bid in order to protect our consignor’s interests. PAYMENT POLICY All invoices are payable upon receipt. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will accept cash, check, wire transfer, MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express as payment for items purchased. Online payment is available for buyers directly through the online invoicing process. Bidders who fail to pay their invoices in full by the 25th day following the sale agree to have their total invoice amount charged to the credit card listed on file and therefore forfeit any cash discount they may have previously been entitled to. Credit card purchases are limited to $50,000.00 per customer, per auction. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. reserves the right to demand cash or hold merchandise until funds are collected in full. There will be a $35.00 charge for all returned checks. A 17.5% Buyer’s Premium will be added to all purchases regardless of price with a 2.5% discount when paid with check, cash or wire transfer. This premium is to be paid as part of the purchase price. Buyers who pay after the 25th day following the auction forfeit this discount regardless of payment form. No items are to be removed from our facility until paid for in full by the purchaser. GUIDELINES FOR FIREARM DELIVERIES All Federal, State and Local firearms laws will be strictly adhered to. FFL holders may take possession of any firearm on day of sale (excluding Class III) when they present a signed copy of their Federal Firearms License. If an FFL dealer is sending an “agent” to pick up items, that person must be a bona fide, paid employee of the company with a W4 on file. Outside contractors cannot be used as pickup agents. A SIGNED LETTER FROM THE FFL STATING THIS FACT MUST BE PRESENTED AT TIME OF PICK UP. The FFL Dealer will in turn be notified that a transfer was made to you as their agent. New Hampshire residents over the age of 21 may take possession of any firearm, on day of sale, provided the proper paperwork is completed and the transfer has been approved either through the N.H. State Police or the FBI NICS System, whichever is appropriate based upon the type of firearm(s) purchased. Non-resident individuals from states without waiting periods may take possession of long guns on day of sale after completing the proper forms and successfully completing a NICS check. If you reside in a state with a waiting period, your items will need to be shipped to a dealer in your state. No modern handguns will be delivered to non-resident individuals. All modern handguns purchased by non-resident individuals will need to be delivered to or shipped to an FFL holder in the buyer’s home state. Buyer is responsible for any and all shipping charges and all items must be paid for on day of sale. Bidders should be familiar with their local and state laws as Amoskeag Auction Co., Inc. will not be responsible for any parties purchasing items which may not be possessed in, or shipped to their state of residence. Some states have restrictions on transfers to C&R License holders, study your state and local laws before bidding. If you are the winning bidder of an item that you find does not comply with your state’s laws, you will still be required to pay your invoice, Amoskeag Auction Co. will then re-offer the arm on your behalf. FIREARM CLASSIFICATION: ANTIQUE - no paperwork required MODERN - Post-1898 firearm which requires an FFL or 4473 with corresponding successful background check in order to be delivered. C&R - for firearms that fall under the ATF Curio & Relics licensing and if purchased by a person with a “C&R License” no paperwork is required. NOTE: Items that meet the age requirements but have been altered from their original configuration may NOT be delivered on a C&R License. SAFETY WARNING Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. does not warranty the safety of any article it sells. Therefore, it is imperative that, before you use any firearm, purchased here or anywhere else, you have it examined by a qualified gunsmith to determine whether or not it is safe to use. ABSENTEE/TELEPHONE/ON-LINE BIDDING • As a service to our buyers, Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will accept absentee bids from bidders who cannot attend the sale. Bidders without prior credit approval are required to submit a 20% deposit prior to bids being accepted (credit cards may be used for absentee deposits). Absentee bids will be bid in a competitive manner and an absentee bidder needs only to outbid another buyer i.e. bidding will not be opened at the maximum bid unless that is the next competitive bid. Buyer is responsible for any and all shipping charges. Properly registered Amoskeag Online bidders may use this service free of additional charges as an alternative to telephone or absentee bidding, at their election. Online bidders should be aware that the sale proceeds at a very rapid pace and should plan their bidding strategies accordingly. • Amoskeag Auction Co., Inc. will not be held responsible for errors or omissions of any type that may occur during these services. • All absentee bids must be received by 8:00pm on the day prior to the auction. If you plan to attend the sale but will not be staying until the end and want to leave a bid on an item that will be sold after you leave, we must have those bids in by 8:00am on the morning of the sale. No bids will be accepted after that time. Please do not call the gallery once the auction has started (after 9:00am) as we will not be able to accept bids or make changes to bids. • Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will also accept telephone bids on a limited basis. Telephone bidding is reserved for seriously interested bidders. In order to bid by telephone, the bidder must be willing to pay at least the low estimate of the item being bid on. NOTE: Phone bids MUST be arranged by 5:00pm ON THURSDAY prior to the sale. • All invoices are issued by end of business on the Tuesday following the sale and are due upon receipt. Invoices are to be paid either by cash or check, or credit card. All items not paid for within 20 business days from sale date shall be considered abandoned as well as any deposit that was made on those items and Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. shall have sole discretion as to their disposal.
