This is a nice example of a scarce Sharps-Borchardt heavy barreled Sporting Rifle with J.P. Lower markings. The top of the barrel is stamped: "OLD RELIABLE" in script followed by "SHARPS RIFLE CO. BRIDGEPORT. CONN." ahead of the rear sight and "J.P. LOWER/DENVER COL." between the rear sight and the receiver. The left rear of the barrel is marked "CAL 45 2 7/8". The left side of the receiver is marked: "SHARPS RIFLE CO. BRIDGEPORT CONN./U.S.A." over "18813/PAT. DEC. 1876". The matching serial number is also marked on the bottom of the barrel under the forearm. The rifle is fitted with a heavy 30 inch round barrel chambered for the 45 caliber cartridge. The barrel is fitted with a dovetail mounted Rocky Mountain style front sight with nickel silver blade and a R.S. Lawrence patent folding leaf rear sight.. The barrel is blue and the remaining parts are casehardened. Mounted with a smooth walnut forearm and straight grip stock with a checkered shotgun style steel buttplate. The left side of the stock is stamped with an circled "LB" monogram near the buttplate. The Sharps Rifle Co. manufactured a total of 750 Model 1878 Sporting Rifles with round barrels between October 1877 and October 1881. Model 1878 rifles with J.P. Lower markings are scarce and very desirable.