Sharps-Borchardt Model 1878 ??? Info

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I have just found one of these ...its in real fine shape...in Cal 45-70. Its the sporting model with leaf sights. It really is in good shape, with a very nice bore. It had the steel butt plate changed about 75 years ago, according to the owner, with a tasteful rubber or leather pad. Any ideas on value? Are they any good, other than for collectors. I understand there were a couple versions, and that it was the last model of sharps produced.
Any info is appreciated..
Thanks
 
They are very collectable and very shootable. Hard to give a price without a picture but start over $1000 and climb rapidly with condition. The one drawback is that they cannot be used in the Coors schutzenfest because they do not have an outside hammer.
The vast majority were made as military rifles (6900 out of 8700 total borschardts) and I would wonder if yours started out as a military gun then restocked in the late 1800's. No matter what, it is a highly desireable gun.

cheers mooncoon
 
I have had a couple of military borchards and they ran in the 2500 to 3500 range. The ones I had were in good usable condition with good bores.
Depending on the model if it is a sporting rifle values change quit abit, as mooncoon said pictures would help
 
I have some reprints of old Sharps catalogs, and their June, 1879, price lists show several models of 1878 Borschardt civilian rifles, but only one in 45 calibre (45-70) with leaf sights:-

"Sporting Rifle", 45 calibre (2 1/10" chamber for U.S. Government cartridge), 30" round or octagonal barrel, American walnut stock, weight 9 to 12 pounds - $28.00
Globe and peep sights extra - $5.00
Double triggers extra - $4.00

Their 45-70 Military arms were a 32" barrel rifle for $22.50 ($24.75 with bayonet), and a 24" barrel carbine for $18.50. Both of these could also be ordered with double triggers for an extra $4.00 each.

In the catalog illustrations, the leaf sights appear to be mounted the same distance ahead of the receiver on both the Sporting and Military barrels.
Regardless of which, as Mooncoon said, very collectable, very shootable, highly desireable.
Regards, DaveF.
 
sharps 45-70

Gents...thank you for the insight and information...This rifle, I believe, is originally a sporter..it is in excellent, well kept shape, and as mentioned, an excellent bore. I do understand that it cant be used in some competitions...but hey..it is kinda rare. The asking price was 2000.00. I think its a pretty good deal, and will go ahead and get it It feels good..nice heft, and mounts pretty good. I almost like the fact it dosent have a hammer....nice sleek profile. I will post pic's under this heading when I get the chance. Now, can modern smokless rounds be fired, or is it BP only?
again, thanks for the info and advice
 
Lower pressure smokeless loads should be okay as these guns were rechambered to varmint cartridges in the 50s before their value went way up. This action is not legal for NRA BPCR Sillywet, due to it's complicated system of cams it caused Sharps some grief, just what they didn't need as repeaters were becoming more popular, by '81 Sharps was done and Hugo Borchardt went to Europe and developed some extraordinary pistols. i have seen the '78s go for 3500$ on some US auction sites.
 
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