Guns International #: 102885334
Seller's Inventory #: GF0010C

Category - Sharps Rifles - Antique - Single Shot Rifles - American

Category
Sharps Rifles - Antique
Single Shot Rifles - American

Sharps-Borchardt Model 1878 "Old Reliable" in 45-70 Govt.

Description:
Sharps-Borchardt Model 1878 "Old Reliable" in 45-70 Govt.

Sharps-Borchardt Model 1878 is a single shot hammerless falling block action rifle that was designed by Hugo Borchardt and made by the Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company in Bridgeport, CT. This rifle uses a lever and a hammerless striker rather than the side mounted  hammer and firing pin which is used in the old Sharps Rifles. This is the last of the Sharps single-shot rifles manufactured and was only manufactured for three years. There were 22,000 rifles of this unique design that were made in all models from 1877 until Sharps Rifle Co. closed down in 1881. Of the total, the vast majority of them were military rifles. Only about 6,900 of these military rifles were made with a fair amount sold to foreign countries. In the United States,, a few states armed their state militias with Borchardt rifles and the rest were sold on the commercial market. This rifle came about the end of the buffalo hunting era and some were sold to western dealers like J.P. Lower. In the middle part of the 1900’s many of these rifles were scrapped for their actions to be used in sporting and small bore varmint rifles. Making  Sharps Model 1878 Borchardt Military Rifle in original condition rare and one in this shape even rarer. This is one of the strongest single shot lever operated actions that appear remarkably modern no wonder so many were used to make big game hunting and varmint rifles.

Condition:
This is a very nice Sharps Model 1878 Borchardt Military Rifle in excellent condition overall. It is in 45-70 Government has 32” barrel with the standard features, finishes, with original blue and walnut stock. The majority of the blue finish is present and turning to a plum brown in some places. The action retains over 60% original blue finish and the barrel about 80%. The address at the top of the barrel is marked "Old Reliable" in script and SHARPS RIFLE CO. BRIDGEPORT. CONN. behind the rear sight is clear and well defined.  On the action the Borchardt patent address is is present and very clear as well. There is a slight amount of surface rust due to storage that is near the Sharps Rifle Company legend but it is recent and can be easily cleaned off. The bore is in very good shape with bright finish and well defined lands and groves. The stock is in excellent shape with the cartouche strongly present near the rear of the left side of the butt stock. There is a slight wood loss at the rear of the escutcheon under the rifle near the action just above the rear barrel band which is very minor. The rear sight is the correct ladder type and is in good shape, the front sight blade is hooded. The ramrod is present which is very nice since many are missing when an unaltered example is found. The action is crisp and the screw heads are in excellent shape. An added feature to this remarkable rifle is the safety which is intact and works correctly. When the lever is dropped and raised the safety is automatically engaged. Behind the trigger is a small spur that only has to be pulled back to be ready to fire. this rifle came out of NH and it is possible that is was one that was issued by the MA State Milita although that is just speculation. This rifle is an antique and can be shipped direct to the buyer. 

Serial #: 8967
Antique
 

Price: $4,650.00

Antique: Yes
Rifle Caliber: .45-70 Government
Manufacturer: Sharps
Model: 1878 Musket
Serial Number: 8967
Barrel Length: 32"
Bore Info: 45-70
Condition: Excellent
Metal Condition: very good to excellent
Wood Condition: very good to excellent
Bore Condition: good +7 bright
Barrel Type: Round
Action: lever action single shot
Triggers: single
Stock: standard walnut
Sights: rear ladder, front blade hooded
Manufacture Date: approx 1879