Only an estimated 215 Mid-Range rifles were manufactured. The included letter from Richard J. Labowskie (owner of original Sharps records) states that this rifle was "listed in Order Book No. 7 as a Model 1878 Mid-Range Rifle and was invoiced as Order #5209 at the Bridgeport factory on May 24, 1878 to Edwin S. Harris, New York City gun and sporting goods dealer and Sharp's Agent." The letter also confirms the caliber and states that it was almost certainly Grade 1 "since the List Price of this Grade was $85 in Sharps advertising. It is my sense that all Model 1878 Mid-Range Rifles in Grade 1 were sold with stock of fine English walnut. The barrel has a spirit level windage adjustable globe pin front sight and a ladder rear sight graduated to 800 yards. The "Old Reliable" script marking appears ahead of the one line Sharps address: "SHARPS RIFLE CO. BRIDGEPORT. CONN." The casehardened frame has a tang peep sight and wood panels on both sides. "PAT. DEC. 1876/7045" is stamped ahead of the trigger. The rifle has a sliding trigger safety. Mounted with a nicely figured checkered pistol grip stock and checkered Schnabel forearm. The buttstock has a checkered hard rubber buttplate.

Exceptionally fine. The barrel retains 95% thinned original blue finish showing a few series of scratches over some mild pitting. The remaining metal surfaces retain 75% plus original case colors. The wood is excellent showing some minor scratches and pressure dents with overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.