This is an attractive and desirable example of a Sharps Borchardt Model 1878 sporting rifle chambered for the .40-50 Sharps straight cartridge. The Sharps Rifle Co. manufactured a total of 750 Model 1878 sporting rifles with round barrels between October 1877-October 1881. Most of these saw heavy use on the Western frontier for buffalo hunting, although this example appears to be a special case in that it is period inscribed in fancy scrip with "W.R.A. Co." on the right of the frame, and "W.R.A. Co." and "40/50 Sharps Straight" on top of the barrel. Consignor notes indicate this is a Winchester ammunition test gun. The rifle has a blued 26-inch round barrel that is also marked with its standard markings on top with "OLD RELIABLE" in script followed by "SHARPS RIFLE CO. BRIDGEPORT, CONN." ahead of the rear sight, and "CAL. 40 1 7/8" on the left of the breech. The matching serial number is marked on the bottom of the receiver and barrel underneath the forearm. "9779" marked on the rear flat of the forearm. All blue finish on the metal components. The walnut buttstock and forearm are uncheckered and have an oiled finish, with a checkered shotgun style buttplate. The barrel is fitted with a dovetail mounted Lyman beaded blade front sight and folding ladder rear sight.

Very fine, retaining 95% Winchester applied factory blue finish with some mild corrosion/pitting visible on the rear sight, and crisp inscriptions. The wood is fine as lightly sanded and re-oiled, with some areas slightly undersized around the edges, and otherwise defined figure. Mechanically excellent.