Sharps Borchardt 1878 34″ Barrel .45-100 .45 2.6 Black Powder Target Rifle
SOLD FOR: $3,525.00
LSB#: LSB250708MS004
Make: Sharps Rifle Co.
Model: 1878
Serial#: A40
Year of Manufacture: 1878 to 1880s Antique
Caliber: .45-100 (.45 2.6)
Action Type: Single-Shot, Shrouded Falling Block Action with Extractor & Set Trigger
Markings: The underside of the receiver is marked, “A40”. The barrel is marked, “Monarch Tool Co. Stevensville Mt.” the underside of the barrel is marked, “1-18 .458 9-96 / AB”.
Barrel Length: 34” Taper Round Profile
Sights/ Optics: There are no sights, however the front sight has a dovetailed base for an adjustable globe style sight. The rear sight has a slot/base in the top of the tang for a folding style sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition/Grip: The stock is a two piece checkered grade 4 walnut stock with a dark wood capped forend, escutcheons for a taper pin, dark wood inserts in the receiver, dark wood capped semi-pistol grip, straight comb, and checkered shotgun style buttplate. There are faint handling marks throughout. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is sharp. The LOP is 14” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. Overall, the condition of the stocks rates at about Very Good + condition.
Type of Finish: Blued, Case Color, Fire Blue Screws.
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright due to the bluing on the inside and the rifling is sharp. There is no notable erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9.75/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its original finish. The receiver retains most of its case color with some light spots of fading. The barrel has faint handling marks throughout. The action has minimal wear from use. The screw heads show signs of light tooling, but still retain serviceable slots and the pins are undamaged. Overall, this rifle is in Fine + condition as a refinished Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle, but we did perform a mechanic’s check. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards. This rifle sports a set trigger.
Box Paperwork and Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Sharps-Borchardt Model 1878 was the final evolution of the Sharps rifle line, designed by Hugo Borchardt and built on his innovative falling block action. Unlike the hammer-fired Sharps rifles that preceded it, the Borchardt employed an internal striker, offering a shorter lock time and superb mechanical efficiency. This made it particularly well-suited for target shooting, where precision and consistency were paramount. Chambered here in .45-100, also known as .45 2.6, this rifle was clearly intended as a long-range black powder target gun, pairing a heavy 34-inch barrel with refined features such as a set trigger and finely checkered walnut furniture. The markings from Monarch Tool Co. of Stevensville, Montana, along with the barrel’s custom rifling stamp, suggest a high-grade, possibly bespoke build for a competitive marksman of the black powder era. Condition is excellent, with this rifle retaining about 95 percent of its finish. The receiver shows vivid case colors with only light fading, and the barrel remains clean with minimal handling marks. The checkered walnut stock displays Grade 4 figure and detail, with attractive dark wood accents at the forend, grip, and receiver inserts, enhancing both aesthetics and strength. The bore is outstanding, rating 9.75 out of 10, with sharp rifling and no visible erosion, a rarity in rifles chambered for large-capacity black powder cartridges that often saw hard use. Its mechanical integrity remains strong, with the action functioning smoothly, and the presence of a set trigger further elevates its performance pedigree for long-range shooting.
For advanced collectors and target rifle enthusiasts, this Sharps-Borchardt is a superb example of both craftsmanship and competitive spirit. The long barrel, fine bore, and high-grade walnut furniture place it among the more desirable configurations of the Borchardt line, while its chambering in .45-100 positions it for serious long-range black powder competition of the late 19th century. Though refinished, it remains visually striking and mechanically excellent, offering both display value and potential range performance for the dedicated black powder marksman. As the pinnacle of Sharps production and a rare custom-target configuration, this rifle is a highly desirable addition to any collection focused on American single-shots or the golden age of precision shooting. -R.E.
