RARE SHARPS MODEL 1878 PANEL BORCHARDT LONG RANGE SINGLE SHOT RIFLE.

RARE SHARPS MODEL 1878 PANEL BORCHARDT LONG RANGE SINGLE SHOT RIFLE. SN 7142. Cal. 45 2-1/10″ (45-70). Usual configuration with 34″ tapered medium weight rnd bbl, spirit level windgage front sight, no provision for a rear sight and the integral tang sight base mounted with a 5-1/4″ staff with vernier elevation adjustments. Top of bbl has the “Old Reliable” marking in a panel and the Bridgeport address. The sides of receiver are mounted with wood panel inserts. Mounted with nicely figured English walnut with checkered tapered rnd forearm that has an ebony tip and is secured with a sgl wedge through dog bone shaped steel escutcheons. Buttstock has a checkered wrist with serpentine grip cap that has a black ebony insert and a diamond checkered hard rubber buttplate. Heel of stock is mounted with a long range sight base. Bottom of bbl, buttstock, forearm & wedge are matching numbered to the rifle. Top tang, although matching in condition, does not have a visible number. Accompanied by a Sharps letter from Dr. Richard Labowski identifying this rifle as listed in Order Book #7 as a Model 1878 Long Range rifle invoiced at the Bridgeport Factory on Oct. 19, 1878 to Edwin S. Harris, Gun & Sporting Goods Dealers of New York City. The only other information in the listing is the caliber as noted above and the notation “Vernier Interchangeable” which Dr. Labowski states “no doubt means that the rifle was equipped with a heel-position sight base.” He shows the price of the rifle at $125. This was Sharps’ most expensive rifle. According to Sharps Firearms, Sellers, only 230 of these rare rifles were produced in the period Oct. 1877 to May 1880. CONDITION: Extremely fine, all matching except top tang which is unnumbered. Bbl retains about 98% strong orig factory blue with some slight dulling on both sides just over the forearm area. Receiver, lever & breech block retain about all of their moderately faded case colors. Wood panels have a few minor handling & use nicks & scratches and retain most of their orig factory varnish. Stock & forearm are sound with a few light handling & use nicks & scratches and retain about all of their bright orig factory varnish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. 4-40134 JR206 (18,000-24,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2010

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2100	$26,450.00	RARE SHARPS MODEL 1878 PANEL BORCHARDT LONG RANGE SINGLE SHOT RIFLE. SN 7142. Cal. 45 2-1/10″ (45-70). Usual configuration with 34″ tapered medium weight rnd bbl, spirit level windgage front sight, no provision for a rear sight and the integral tang sight base mounted with a 5-1/4″ staff with vernier elevation adjustments. Top of bbl has the “Old Reliable” marking in a panel and the Bridgeport address. The sides of receiver are mounted with wood panel inserts. Mounted with nicely figured English walnut with checkered tapered rnd forearm that has an ebony tip and is secured with a sgl wedge through dog bone shaped steel escutcheons. Buttstock has a checkered wrist with serpentine grip cap that has a black ebony insert and a diamond checkered hard rubber buttplate. Heel of stock is mounted with a long range sight base. Bottom of bbl, buttstock, forearm & wedge are matching numbered to the rifle. Top tang, although matching in condition, does not have a visible number. Accompanied by a Sharps letter from Dr. Richard Labowski identifying this rifle as listed in Order Book #7 as a Model 1878 Long Range rifle invoiced at the Bridgeport Factory on Oct. 19, 1878 to Edwin S. Harris, Gun & Sporting Goods Dealers of New York City. The only other information in the listing is the caliber as noted above and the notation “Vernier Interchangeable” which Dr. Labowski states “no doubt means that the rifle was equipped with a heel-position sight base.” He shows the price of the rifle at $125. This was Sharps’ most expensive rifle. According to Sharps Firearms, Sellers, only 230 of these rare rifles were produced in the period Oct. 1877 to May 1880. CONDITION: Extremely fine, all matching except top tang which is unnumbered. Bbl retains about 98% strong orig factory blue with some slight dulling on both sides just over the forearm area. Receiver, lever & breech block retain about all of their moderately faded case colors. Wood panels have a few minor handling & use nicks & scratches and retain most of their orig factory varnish. Stock & forearm are sound with a few light handling & use nicks & scratches and retain about all of their bright orig factory varnish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. 4-40134 JR206 (18,000-24,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2010 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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