# 40953094

Very Fine Sharps-Borchardt Model 1878 Single Shot Sporting Rifle in Desirable .45-70 Government

$ 6999.99

A highly desirable Old West collectible, this Sharps-Borchardt Model 1878 Sporting Rifle is one of only 750 produced with a round barrel and is chambered in the iconic .45-70 Government cartridge. Manufactured between 1877 and 1881, this very fine, high-condition example offers exceptional appeal for collectors of frontier-era Sharps rifles, buffalo rifles, and historic American sporting arms.

Scarce Sharps-Borchardt Model 1878 Sporting Rifle
- Manufactured from 1877 to 1881
- One of only 750 Sharps-Borchardt Sporting rifles produced with a round barrel
- A particularly attractive and well-preserved example
Desirable Old West and buffalo-hunting heritage
- These sporting rifles saw heavy use in the American West
- Primarily associated with buffalo hunting
- Also valued for protection on the frontier
- Rifles in the U.S. military caliber of the era were especially prized for:
  - Accuracy
  - Power
  - Availability of ammunition
- This example appears to have been very well cared for if it did make its way to the frontier
Chambered for the powerful and collectible .45-70 Government cartridge
- Marked “CAL.45 2 1/10” on the left side of the breech
- “.45 2 1/10” corresponds to .45-70 Government
- A historically important chambering and one of the most desirable calibers for Sharps collectors
Barrel details
- Blued 30-inch heavy round barrel
- Top of barrel marked in script: “OLD RELIABLE”
- Followed by: “SHARPS RIFLE CO. BRIDGEPORT. CONN.”
- These markings appear ahead of the rear sight
- Bottom of barrel marked “L/L/L” in script
Receiver markings
- Left side of receiver is roll-stamped in three lines:
  - “BORCHARDT PATENT”
  - “SHARPS RIFLE CO. BRIDGEPORT CONN.”
  - “U.S.A.”
Matching-number components enhance collector appeal
- Matching serial number marked on:
  - Bottom of the receiver
  - Barrel underneath the forearm
  - Rear flat of the forearm
- Matching numbers are especially important to collectors seeking originality and integrity
Sight configuration
- “Rocky Mountain” type German silver blade front sight
- Folding ladder rear sight
- Modern replacement Sharps-Borchardt pattern peep sight mounted on the upper tang
Stock and furniture
- Smooth Schnabel-tip forearm
- Straight-grip stock
- Checkered steel buttplate
Collector significance
- Scarce round-barrel Sporting Rifle configuration
- Classic Sharps “Old Reliable” Bridgeport markings
- Desirable .45-70 Government chambering
- Strong association with the American frontier and buffalo-hunting era
- High-condition presentation compared with many rifles that saw hard Western use
- A standout piece for an advanced Sharps, Old West, buffalo rifle, or 19th-century American firearms collection

Condition

Very fine, retains 95% of the original blue finish with some scattered light handling marks and light muzzle wear. The action retains 50% plus of the slightly muted original case colors with some scattered specks of flaking. The wood is also very fine with some scattered minor scratches and dings. Mechanically excellent. A very fine example of the sort of rifle that would have been highly prized by a buffalo hunter or settler of the western frontier!