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

Description:
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!

Rifle Caliber: .45-70 Government
Manufacturer: Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company
Model: 1878 Borchardt
Serial Number: 17523
Barrel Length: 30 inch round
Condition: The bore is partially bright with some light streaking and crisp rifling.

Price: $6,999.99