This hammerless dropping-block breech-loader was based on a patent granted to Hugo Borchardt in 1877.

[1] Although it was designed for the huge black powder "buffalo" cartridges of the day, it came too late, at the very end of the great bison slaughter.

The Military Sharps-Borchardt was made only in .45-70 with 32" round barrels and was purchased by the militias of the states of Michigan, North Carolina, and Massachusetts.

The other models were manufactured in a variety of calibers, barrel types, sights, stocks, engraving, etc.

Surviving guns are highly prized by collectors, especially unmodified examples chambered for heavy .45 and .50-caliber Sharps big-game cartridges.