SHARPS RIFLE COMPANY GREEN LABEL 5 ROUND BOX OF
.45- 2 6/10 INCH CALIBER PAPER PATCHED CARTRIDGES –
COMPLETE WITH ORIGINAL CARTRIDGES - FOR SHARPS RIFLES
WITH AN EXCELLENT LABEL: One of the earlier,
and highly desirable boxes of cartridges produced by the
Sharps Rifle Company in Bridgeport, Connecticut, this
very collectable box for 5 .45-100 caliber, (also known
as the 45 - 2 6/10”) cartridges loaded with paper
patched bullets bears the desirable Sharps Rifle Company
green label. The Sharps Rifle Company introduced this
cartridge in 1877, and this box of cartridges would have
been available in the inventory of the dealers and hide
buyers supplying the commercial buffalo hunters on the
Western Frontier during the buffalo hunting era.
As often seen on these early Sharps Company labeled
boxes, the cartridge caliber and loading data has been
crossed out and the caliber has been noted in period
script written in pencil. This practice was likely
employed to use up available stocks of the boxes and
labels as the company struggled with its financial
situation.
As the company was effectively out of business in early
1881, boxes of this cartridge which bear the Sharps
Company label were produced during a fairly narrow
window of time and in limited numbers. In addition, the
Sharps Company found it difficult to compete with the
larger ammunition manufacturing companies such as
Winchester and UMC, and the Sharps Company ammunition
production was somewhat limited, accounting for their
relative low survival rate and scarcity on the market
today.
This box is in excellent condition with a full, legible
cover label. There is a darkened area on the upper
right corner, perhaps gun oil or bullet lubricant. The
five original cartridges are present – four loaded with
the original paper patched bullets and one empty primed
case. Three of the cartridges are loaded with bullets
that measure 1 ¼” in exposed length and weighing
approximately 570 grains. The fourth loaded cartridge
is fitted with a bullet that measures 1” in exposed
length and weighs approximately 550 grains.
The two piece box retains its full form, with all of the
corners and edges intact. These boxes simply do not
appear on the market in much better condition than this
one presents.
This is an excellent specimen of a very rare box of
paper patched cartridges manufactured by the famous
Sharps Rifle Company, one that seldom appears on the
collector market, and it will make a special addition to
display with your Sharps Rifle. (0421) $1800
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