The final Sharps, incorporating Hugo Borchardt's hammerless falling-block action. A technically superior design to the 1874 in some respects — cleaner trigger pull, stronger action, simpler lockwork. However, the Sharps company was already failing by 1878, and the 1878 Borchardt never achieved the commercial success of the 1874. Only about 8,000 were made before the company ceased operations in 1881. Type: Rifle Action: Falling Block Caliber: .45-70 Government Capacity: 1 Year introduced: 1878, USA Weight: 104 oz Overall length: 43.5" Status: Discontinued Intended use: hunting, target, civilian