3291

Scarce "J.P. Lower" Marked Model 1878 Sharps-Borchardt Heavy Barrel Sporting Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:8,500.00 - 16,000.00 USD
Scarce  J.P. Lower  Marked Model 1878 Sharps-Borchardt Heavy Barrel Sporting Rifle
Buyer's Premium is 20.5% by credit card, reduced to 18% if payment is made by cash, check or wire transfer. Contact Rock Island Auction Company to complete your registration with the auction house.

Estimate: $8500 - 16000
Manufacturer: Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company Model: 1878-Rifle
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.
BBL: 30 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 45-2-7/8
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: 18813
Condition:
Very fine. The barrel retains 70% original blue finish the barrel with some thinning on the left side. The receiver and lever retain 40% of the dove gray casehardened finish, There are several shallow dents in the left side of the receiver just below the Sharps markings. The case colors on the buttplate have silvered but retain most of the original casehardened finish. The stock is excellent with minor handling wear. The forearm is refinished. The markings are clear. This is an excellent example of a scarce Model 1878 Sharps-Borchardt Sporting Rifle with desirable J.P. Lower sales markings.