Wondering where to find more info on these rifles? I have a copy of DeHaas' "Single-Shot Rifles and Actions" which has some detailed info on these. Was wondering what other Sharps books are considered authoratative on this model? I heard from someone that Frank Sellers' "Sharps Firearms" book was considered a bible by some.

I traded into an original 1878 Sharps Borchardt SRC in .45-70 last week and would like to learn more about these. Flayderman's said that only some 384 were made in this configuration.
Thanks,
Jeff P

I suggest you try the forums at http://www.assra.com. One fellow there is a gunsmith and quite a fan of these. The "General Discussion" forum is your best bet. You might also try calling Al Story, who is making well regarded reproductions of the Borchardt.

Thanks asdf,
I will check out the ASSRA site - familar with this organisation. I've ordered a copy of Sharps Firearms (Sellers) and Sharps Rifles (Smith) over the past few weeks. Both good books on the Sharps rifles from what I hear.

Jeff Pfeifer

Please let me know what you think of these books regarding their discussion on the Borchardts. I may want to get a copy. I'm also interested in the rare, 1875 side hammer model, and if either book has some photos or drawings comparing that action to the earlier one, I'd be interested. Thank you.

asdf,
I got a copy of the Winston O Smith "The Sharps Rifle" the other day and have now spent some time reading it. It is very informative. It has a good section on the Borchardt but just a small section - with no picture, of the 1875 Sharps. Said very few 1875's were ever made and that they look alot like the Borchardt but with a side hammer. The bulge was eliminated from the side of the receiver.
My copy of Sellers - "Sharps Firearms" got snatched out from under me...a bit ticked at the deal. I'll find another soon however. I was also looking at a 1st ed. 1947 copy of Grant's "Single-Shot Rifles" and it has a good section with some history on the Borchardt. I have moved this book up on my list! My friend said that the early copies have better quality pictures than the current reproduction for what it's worth. I'll keep you posted as this unravels.
Regards - JP

Many thanks Pfeifer. I'll look into finding a copy of Smith's book down here. If nothing else, I have some friends coming here in half a year who can bring me a copy.

From what I hear the Sellers "Sharps Firearms" book is the one to get BUT I still have not got my hands on one. I saw that Shiloh Sharps site Shiloh Sharps (?) still had them listed new for $55 or so. I thought these to be out of print from other sources... so not sure.

asdf,
Just have some reading time on my hands tonight so perusing through Smith's "The Sharps Rifle" and found none other than a drawing of the 1875 Sharps in plate 20 on page 60. 1875 Sharps
Also here's a dig pict of the Borchardt plates:
1878 Sharps
I was able to pick up a copy of Seller's book "Sharps Firearms" last week so should have it soon. JP

Thanks for the information, Pfeifer. You might be interested to know Sharps had plans for the 1875 beyond what is shown either in that drawing or in the current replicas. I was looking over the US patent office web site and found an 1876 patent by a Sharps employee for a self-cocking version of what appears to be an 1875. (Another sheet showed the sidehammer. Behind the hammer is a selector to enable the self-cocking feature.)

Hmmm, in looking again at the image you've provided, it appears the old Sharps catalog shows the cocking lever from the patent. I know the 1875 replicas don't include that feature.

Pity there was no further information in Smith about the 1875. According to a post this year on the forums of Shiloh Sharps, the 1951 Gun Digest had an article by a Sharps collector and included pictures and text on the 1875 prototype he owned. I'll try to get my hands on an inter-library loan copy when we're back to the US.

Here is what Winston Smith says on p. 82:

MODEL 1875 RIFLES
This was an improved side hammer model with the lock mechanism contained within the receiver forging. The block itself was much more narrow than in previous models, thereby eliminating the unsightly bulge on the outside of the receiver. With the exception of the side hammer, the outward appearance of this model is very similar to the later 1878 Model Sharps-Borchardt. Although illustrated in the 1876 Sharps catalog, no other description or listing of the Model 1875 appears in any of the catalogs. It is believed that only a few of these were produced and their manufacture soon discontinued in favor of the Borchardt models.

A friend of mine has a complete(?) collection of Gun Digest. I can see if he has the 1951 copy.

Just popped open Sellers book looking for the Model 1875 - WOW! Several pages and nice photos showing prototype and an 1875 Schutzen and Long-Range rifles. Chapter 15 is titled - "The Transitional Models Models 1875 and 1877" pp241-253 with 5-6 pages on the 1875. JP

Thanks for the update, Pfeifer. I'm on vacation right now, but I recall that section from Sellers is on its way to me now, courtesy the ASSRA. That fellow at the Shiloh forums said he'd send a copy of the GD article, but never came through, so I'll try the ASSRA next time I get some copies through them (their Archives is the best feature of the ASSRA).

Hey, Pfeifer, on returning home, I found in the mail my copy of that section from Seller's book. I see that C. Sharps has taken some liberties in calling theirs a Model 1875. If Seller's research is definitive (and he certainly seems to have been thorough), the 1875 was to be the gun shown in the patent by King (above). This does not, of course, mean that the rifle offered by C. Sharps is not a fine gun, but it isn't really an "1875".

There is also a section on the 1877, and I see why many fans of the Sharps think it the most graceful of the original production guns.

Thanks for the lead.

Karl

Karl,
Glad you finally got a copy of the Sellers pages. I took some pictures yesterday of my original 1878 Borchardt SRC (384 made). It is a neat old carbine:
'78 SRC Lt
'78 SRC Rt
'78 SRC LtRcvrClose

A fine looking rifle it is, with very clean lines for a falling block. I'm sure the riflemen of the era thought it peculiar looking.

With modern machining, I bet these could be made sans the cocking plates, which would tidy up the receiver a bit, and of course the forend could be mounted by screws. I'm not aware of any other rifles made using Borchardt's idea; surprising given the fine lines it offers.