Made circa 1878 - 1881, this is one of approximately 62 Hunters Rifles produced by Sharps. Fitted with a dovetailed silver blade front sight and a 800 yard folding ladder rear sight, with the top of the barrel marked "Old Reliable", "SHARPS RIFLE CO. BRIDGEPORT. CONN." and "CALIBRE 40" along the top, with "1 1/16" on the right side of the breech. Falling block receiver with casehardened lever and automatic safety, marked "BORCHARDT PATENT/SHARPS RIFLE CO. BRIDGEPORT CONN./U.S.A." on the left side. Smooth Schnabel tip forearm and straight grip stock with a checkered iron buttplate.

Fine, with 45% of the original blue finish, showing a mixed brown and gray patina on the barrel, a brown patina on the receiver, bright high edge wear and some light handling marks and a small amount of pitting. Traces of case color remain on the lever, strongest in the protected areas, with a mottled gray patina on the open areas. Stock is good, with scratches, pressure dents, varnish loss and an attractive feathered grain pattern on the right side of the buttstock. Mechanically excellent.