This is an exceptionally nice example of a Sharps Model 1878, Walnut side panel, Creedmoor long range target rifle that was originally invoiced to Frank Hyde noted long range rifleman and company salesman, who won the Wimbledon Cup Championship in 1878. There were a total of 230 of this model made between May 1877 and may 1880. Mr. Hyde joined the company in February of 1876 and served as both a sales representative and expert marksman for the Sharp-Borschardt company, promoting the Sharps company up and down the Eastern seaboard as well as in Europe. In the fall of 1878 this model of Sharps-Borschardt rifle was used in 16 different long range rifle matches, and took "First Prize" in 12 of those matches to include the prestigious Wimbledon Cup match where Frank Hyde shot a score of 143 out of a possible 150 points. This style of rifle action went on to be used by other noted rifleman and gunsmiths such as Pope, Zischang, and Schoyen to produce some the most accurate target rifle of the day. This popularity was due primarily to the super fast firing pin fall of the Borschardt design. This model of rifle has several standard features, such as the extra long barrels (32 or 34 inch), dual mounting positions for the long range tang sight so that it could be mounted on either the tang or the top of the buttstock to provide a long sight radius for 1000 yard rifle shots, checkered single trigger (to meet the Creedmoor match rules) pistol grip stock with matching side panels in the receiver. Almost all of these rifles were furnished to various rifle teams in both the United States as well as England and Europe. The top of the barrel is unmarked and the bottom of receiver between the trigger and breechblock, it is marked "PAT. DEC. 1876" over the serial number 7030. The hard rubber buttplate is checkered across the face and is also unmarked. The rifle is fitted with an unmarked spirit-level, globe front sight that is adjustable for windage and an original tang mounted vernier rear sight that has the line graduations on the side of the staff and is marked "PAT. NOV. 1877"on the top left corner. There is a single sight base at the heel position on top of the butt stock. The underside of the receiver, the forearm wedge and underside of the barrel are all correctly matching numbered 7030. The walnut stock is made of straight grained American or English walnut which is correct for this style of rifle, with matching walnut side panels. The rifle still has the earlier style curl on the bottom of the pistol grip and both the stock and forend features factory checkering. In addition the curl of the pistol grip and the forend both feature a small factory black Ebony insert.

Very fine with 90% plus of the rust blued finish on the barrel starting to thin out slightly which has mixed with some brown overtones. The action and loading lever both retain 90% of a factory level, professional restoration, showing some very minor areas of light pitting under the case colors on the underside of the receiver and the lower radius areas by the triggers, where you hold onto the rifle. The stock and forend both retain 98% of a factory level/hand rubbed professionally restored varnish. The wood to metal fit on both the stock and forend is very good with the rear section of the forend just slightly below the front edge of the receiver. The wood has a beautiful medium brown walnut color overall with very nice checkering on both the stock and forend. An attractive example of a historic Sharps-Borschardt long range Panel Side Creedmoor target rifle.