Make: Sharps Rifle Co.
Model: 1878 Military Rifle
Serial Number: 9655
Year of Manufacture: 1878-1881
Caliber: .45-70 Government
Action Type: Single-Shot Breech-Loading Rifle
Barrel Length: 32", Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a barleycorn blade integral to a rectangular base, dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a flip-up “V”-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. In the down position, the step-up elevator graduates from 1-4 and in the up position, the elevator graduates from 4-10.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece walnut with a capped double-banded forearm, there is a sling swivel in the bottom of the receiver and the front barrel band. There is a slot on the bottom of the forearm for the included clearing rod. The buttstock has been customized with a pistol grip extension joined to the bottom of the wrist, grip checkered, horn grip plate, straight comb and checkered steel buttplate. The buttstock and buttplate are stamped "3120", indicating that they are not original to the gun. The left side of the buttstock is marked with a circled "BL" cartouche of Hylan B. Lyon, the right of the wrist has "HA" hand-scribed. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There are cracks around the front of the wrist. The LOP measures 13 7/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered wear and oxidation with well defined checkering. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition as refinished and customized Antique, at least partially not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is scattered light erosion, stubborn fouling and a few spots of pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 6-7/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 65% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrel has generally strong finish with some wear at the muzzle, scattered minor oxidation, and a few spots of surface erosion. The bands show more notable wear. The receiver has scattered remaining finish with some areas gone to patina and infrequent minor surface erosion. There are light nicks and scratches, mostly on the receiver, with tool marks at some screw and pin heads. The action shows operational wear. The screwheads range from sharp to disfigured, but usable. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good-plus condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The clearing rod is included.
Our Assessment: Christian Sharps introduced one of America's first and most successful breech-loading rifles with design starting in 1850 and improvements continuing into the 1870s and the metallic cartridge era. This rifle is a Model 1878 Military Rifle, just about the most advanced single-shot breech-loading design of the 19th century. The action utilizes the patent of Hugo Borchardt and is a hammerless falling-block design with an automatic trigger safety engaged when the action is opened fully.
The rifle shows light wear for its age and, retaining a good majority of its original metal finish, a decent bore and strong mechanics. The buttstock is a replacement that has been customized with an added capped pistol grip and wrist checkering. Still, this will be a nice example of a Sharps-Borchardt. The 1878 models were only made for four years and this would make for a great display in a Sharps collection or a very worthwhile restoration project. Please see our photos and good luck!
