This is one of only an estimated 215 No. 1 Mid-Range Sharps-Borchardt rifles that were manufactured from 1877 to 1880. The accompanying factory letter lists this No. 1 Mid-Range Sharps rifle by serial number as invoiced at the Sharps Bridgeport factory on May 1, 1878 to Edwin S. Harris, firearms dealer and Sharps Agent in New York City, originally listed as being shipped in .40 caliber with the 2 1/2 inch shell, weighing 9 pounds 8 ounces, at a price of $50 net. The factory letter also indicates that three identical No. 1 Mid-Range rifles were also sent to Harris on the same date. This example has the desirable wood panels on the sides of the casehardened frame, and the barrel is marked "Old Reliable" in front of the rear sight along with the Sharps Bridgeport address, with the top of the breech marked "CALIBRE 40", and "2 1/10" marked upside down on the right of the breech, which appears to be marked as such in factory error. The bottleneck shaped chamber accepts a .40 2 1/4 inch Sharps necked cartridge, which differs from the factory letter listing it for 2 1/2 inch shell although it appears to be its original chambering. The matching serial number "6954" is marked on the bottom of the original barrel. The barrel is fitted with a German silver blade front sight mounted in a dovetailed base, with a folding ladder notch rear sight. Vernier peep sight mounted in the integral base on the upper tang. The serial number and patent date are marked on the bottom of the action behind the trigger. It is mounted with a finely figured, Schnabel tip checkered forearm and checkered pistol grip stock with checkered hard rubber shotgun type buttplate. Includes an opened period Union Metallic Cartridge Company ammunition box containing twenty rounds of .40-70 Sharps necked (2 1/4 inch) ammunition, a Bridgeport .40-70 priming tool numbered "1185", a few empty shell casings and a modern metal box.

Very fine, retains 95% original blue finish on the barrel, traces of vivid original case colors visible in protected areas, muted case colors showing on the exposed surfaces of the breech block and lever, mostly smooth silvery gray patina on the frame with scattered light surface freckling, and sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. Wood is fine, with scattered light dents and scratches, some light wear to the checkering on the forearm with distinct checkering at the wrist, a small raised cracked section on top of the wrist behind the upper tang, a chip in the front left edge of the pistol grip, and defined edges. Mechanically fine. Ammunition box is good with mild wear.