This New Model 1859 Sharps rifle is in the correct configuration of the 2,000 special ordered rifles produced in 1862 for the 1st and 2nd U.S. Sharpshooter regiments (U.S.S.) organized and recruited by Colonel Hiram Berdan (Berdan's Sharpshooters), falls within the correct serial number range 54390-57574 of Berdan Sharps rifles, and is marked with "O.W.A" (Orville W. Ainsworth) inspection initials on the left breech of the barrel, and the left of the stock has faint remnants of a boxed inspection cartouche that was likely "JT" (John Taylor). Taylor inspected all 2,000 of the Berdan special contract rifles between April 11 and May 24, 1862, per Wiley Sword in "Sharpshooter." Berdan's two U.S. Sharpshooter regiments (U.S.S.) were composed of experienced marksman from Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Wisconsin. The regiments were intended to serve as skirmishers and light infantry modeled on the famous British Rifle Brigade. Like their British counterparts, the U.S.S. were issued dark green uniforms with non-reflective black buttons. Berdan selected the New Model 1859 Sharps rifle to arm the Sharpshooters, replacing the originally issued Colt Model 1855 rifles. The Ordnance Department's initial order was for standard New Model 1859 rifles, but Colonel Hiram Berdan contacted the factory and requested a dull barrel finish and double set triggers. The factory assumed Berdan had permission for the changes and began producing rifles for the unit to his specifications, but once the Ordnance Department got word, they insisted that they would not pay for additional rifles in the altered configuration. However, given that the specifications Berdan requested did not actually cost more due to the use of a socket bayonet rather than a sword bayonet, Sharps may have just continued making the rifles as Berdan requested. Many of the rifles were used by the Sharpshooters, but others were diverted and used by other units including the Bucktails (13th Pennsylvania). Page 82 of Wiley Sword's book states, "...a detail of sharpshooters cut small sticks to fit to the sight in order to increase the elevation while at the Po River in 1864. Their shots at an estimated 1,500 yards distance caused a Confederate signal station to be abandoned, reported an observer." Page 98 has a serial number list of some known surviving Sharps Berdan rifles including 56739, of which this rifle is one number away as 56740. This rifle has a nickel-silver blade front sight, Lawrence patent notch and ladder rear sight with readings graduated to 800 yards and a 900 yard center notch at the top, standard markings including "NEW MODEL 1859" on top of the barrel at the breech, adjustable double set triggers, long military style forearm, sling swivels on the middle barrel band and buttstock, an iron patch box, and is correctly not fit with a lever latch. The matching serial number "56740" is marked on the upper receiver tang and underside of the barrel. Fitted with an original Civil War era brown leather military pattern sling maker marked "C.S. STORMS/MAKER/NEW YORK CITY" in an oval. An old small circular brass inventory plaque numbered "922" is affixed to the left of the buttstock, along with some faintly visible period carved X's and O's. Most of these rifles saw hard use in some of the most significant major battles of the Civil War in a specialized role similar to a modern day sniper rifle, with many dropped in battle; surviving examples are highly sought after today!

Very good plus, exhibiting desirable signs of genuine light use acceptable for a Civil War used Berdan Sharps, retains 60% original blue finish on the barrel, traces of original case colors with smooth brown patina on the casehardened surfaces, scattered patches of light pitting. The wood is also very good with mild wear, scrapes and battle scars, some edge wear and a lightly visible cartouche. Mechanically needs work as the hammer does not always remain in the cocked position. The period leather sling is fine with some light age related cracking. A real fresh example of a historic Berdan Sharps rifle with desirable signs of period use indicating it likely participated some of the most important historical battles of the U.S. Civil War!