This is one of only an estimated 215 Mid-Range Sharps-Borchardt rifles that were manufactured from 1877 to 1880. The barrel is marked "Old Reliable" in front of the rear sight along with the Sharps Bridgeport address. The left side of the barrel at the breech has the caliber marking "CAL. 40 1 7/8" along with the period, possibly factory, added "2 1/2". These markings indicate that the rifle was likely originally chambered in .40-50 Sharps, before later being upgraded to the more desirable .40-70 Sharps. The barrel is fitted with a globe front sight with wind gauge and spirit level and a folding ladder rear sight graduated 2-8. There is a Vernier peep sight mounted in the integral base on the upper tang. The serial number is marked on the bottom of the action just in front of the trigger and the bottom of the barrel, which is also marked "L/L/L" in script. The casehardened frame is fitted with the rare and desirable, smooth hard rubber panels. It is mounted with a finely figured, Schnabel tip, multi-point checkered forearm and checkered pistol grip stock with hard rubber grip cap and checkered, "SRCo" monogrammed, hard rubber, shotgun buttplate. Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection

Exceptionally fine, retains 90% of the original blue finish and 80% plus of the original, slightly muted, case colors with the balance showing mostly a smooth grey patina. The hard pieces show a very attractive lightly aged chocolate color with a few light handling marks. The wood is very fine with some scattered light dings and scratches and retaining almost all of the original varnish. Mechanically excellent.