This is a highly attractive and desirable example of a J.P. Lower marked Sharps Borchardt Model 1878 sporting rifle chambered for the .45-110 cartridge. The Sharps Rifle Co. manufactured a total of 750 Model 1878 sporting rifles with round barrels between October 1877-October 1881. Most of these saw heavy use on the western frontier for buffalo hunting, with this high condition example showing minimal signs of use. The rifle has a blued 30-inch heavy round barrel that is marked on top with "OLD RELIABLE" in script followed by "SHARPS RIFLE CO. BRIDGEPORT. CONN." ahead of the rear sight with retailer marking "J.P. LOWER/DENVER COL." on top of the breech, and "CAL.45 2 7/8" (.45-110 Sharps) on the left of the breech. The barrel is fitted with a dovetail mounted Rocky Mountain style front sight with German silver blade and a buckhorn rear sight with folding ladder. The left of the receiver is roll-stamped "SHARPS RIFLE CO. BRIDGEPORT CONN./U.S.A." in two lines above serial number "19690" and "PAT. DEC. 1876." The matching serial number is marked on the barrel underneath the forearm. The receiver, breech block and lever have a casehardened finish. The walnut buttstock and forearm are uncheckered and have an oiled finish, and a checkered shotgun style buttplate. The left of the buttstock is stamped with an encircled "LB" monogram near the buttplate.

Exceptionally fine, retains 90% plus original blue finish on the barrel and 80% plus original case colors with sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. The re-oiled wood is very fine with defined edges, a few light handling marks, a 2 inch pressure gouge on the right of the buttstock, and a defined stamp on the left of the buttstock. Mechanically excellent. This attractive .45-110 chambered J.P. Lower marked Sharps Borchardt rifle would be a prized piece in any early American sporting rifle collection!