WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS COMPANY 45-100-2 7/8”
FIVE ROUND BOX – MADE “EXPRESSLY FOR SHARP’S RIFLE” –
VERY SCARCE TAN LABELED BOX: Produced by the
Winchester Repeating Arms Company, this very scarce
early production .45-100-2 7/8” five round box bears the
tan label featuring the “Expressly for Sharp’s Rifle”
call out on the label.
As pointed out in Giles and Shuey’s Winchester
Cartridge Boxes, 1856-1956, while early Sharp’s
Company featured tan labels, the tan label was unusual
for Winchester, and the five round box pre-dates, and is
scarcer than, the ten round packet – combining to make
this a very special offering. This tan labeled five
round box was produced in the mid-to late 1870’s and was
eventually replaced by a ten round box with a green
label.
This two piece box includes three of the original five
paper patched bullet cartridges. The three cartridges
have no headstamps which is considered correct for this
packaging. The label has survived in excellent
condition and is fully legible. The box is solid with
no open seams and the box retains its shape with sharp
edges, and no disfiguring or crushing. One end panel is
darker than the other surfaces, but it is original to
the box. The darker color is due to exposure or
soiling, probably the way it was stored or handled
through the years.
This is a very scarce offering of a very desirable
Winchester loading expressly produced for the Sharps
Rifles in use out west on the buffalo range. (1108)
$1150
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