Sharps Borchardt 1878 Pope Style .40 Cal. / .45 2 1/4″ BP Creedmoor Rifle
SOLD FOR: $3,801.00
LSB#: LSB250708MS043
Make: Sharps Rifle Co.
Model: 1878
Serial#: 8696
Year of Manufacture: 1878 to 1880 Antique
Caliber: .40 Cal. Ball (.385) .45-70 Black Powder cartridge loaded in the breech.
Action Type: Single-Shot, Shrouded Falling Block Action with Extractor
Markings: The underside of the receiver is marked, “8696”. The barrel is marked, “Old Reliable / CALIBRE .40”.
Barrel Length: 29 1/8, Sharps 30mm Diameter Heavy Round.
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a fully adjustable Globe style with a mineral spirit bubble level and swappable post inserts. There is no insert currently installed. The rear sight is a folding ladder Stevens style tang sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition/Grip: The stock is a two-piece checkered walnut with a crazed ebony capped forend, decorative wood inserts in the receiver, ebony capped semi-pistol grip, straight comb, and checkered plastic shotgun buttplate. There are light scratches and pressure dents throughout. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is sharp. The LOP is 13 3/4” 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.
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no notable erosion in the bore but there is some faint stubborn fouling on the lands. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9.5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 85% of its original finish. The receiver retains most of its case color with some light spots of fading. The barrel has a faint plum color with small 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 Very Good condition as an 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 safety behind the trigger.
Box Paperwork and Accessories: Bullet starter.
Our Assessment: The Sharps-Borchardt Model 1878 was the last of the great Sharps rifles, designed by Hugo Borchardt and built on his strong, efficient falling-block action. Unlike earlier Sharps models with external hammers, the Borchardt employed an internal striker, giving it a shorter lock time and excellent mechanical efficiency, qualities that made it popular among target shooters of the late 19th century. This example, built between 1878 and 1880, has been configured in the Schuetzen style with features reminiscent of Harry Pope’s precision-oriented builds, combining a heavy round barrel, fine target sights, and quality walnut stocks. Chambered in .40 caliber ball with the powder charge being a .45-70 black powder cartridge loaded in the breech, it represents the type of versatile, high-grade rifle favored by competitive marksmen in an era when long-range black powder competition was at its peak. Condition is a strong point with this rifle, which retains about 85 percent of its finish, showing attractive case colors on the receiver and a faint plum hue to the barrel. The stock remains solid with sharp checkering and only light handling marks, displaying craftsmanship and attention to detail in its wood-to-metal fit. The adjustable globe front sight with spirit level and Vernier tang rear sight are high-quality precision instruments designed for competition, reflecting the rifle’s intended purpose on the target range. The bore is equally impressive, rating 9.5 out of 10 with sharp rifling and only faint fouling.
For collectors and shooters alike, this Sharps-Borchardt 1878 configured in Pope-style Schuetzen form represents a rare opportunity to acquire one of the finest American single-shot rifles of its time. With its strong action, superb bore, and specialized sights, it stands out as both a historically important design and a precision shooting instrument. Whether admired as the pinnacle of Sharps production, valued as a Pope-inspired target rifle, or put back on the range for black powder competition, it offers immense appeal. Rifles like this exemplify the craftsmanship and innovation of the late 19th century target shooting world, making it a highly desirable addition to any advanced collection. -R.E.
