This rifle was originally manufactured as one of under 7,000 Sharps Model 1878 Military rifles produced in the late 1870s and very beginning of the 1880s, and was later altered for use as a sporting rifle. It has military style blade/stud front and folding ladder rear sights graduated 1 through 4 on the left side of the base and 5-10 on the ladder. Behind the rear sight on the barrel it is marked "Old Reliable" followed by the one-line Bridgeport address. The left side of the receiver has the three-line Borchardt patent and Bridgeport address marking. The serial number is marked in front of the trigger. The underside of the barrel has two "50" stamps along with three script "L"s. The underside of the buttplate and butt are stamped "269." The front of the receiver has a stud for a sling swivel. The rifle is fitted with a straight grip walnut stock and forearm and a checkered flat buttplate. The forearm has been cut down and is secured by a single barrel band and two screws. The ramrod channel has been filled.

Fine as customized. The rifle has a mostly even brown patina over most of the surfaces and strong blue finish on the breech block and barrel under the forearm. There are some patches of light oxidation. The refinished and repaired wood is fair as cut down. It has a glossy varnish, some small marks and scratches, slight evidence of repairs on the wrist, and a nicely filled ramrod channel. The action is fine, and the markings are mostly clear.