A very rare example of the approximately 2000 Sharps Model 1859 Rifles specially manufactured for the 1st and 2nd U.S. Sharpshooter Regiments (Berdan's Sharpshooters) in 1862. Berdan's Sharpshooters were recruited from the best marksmen in New England and the Midwest. Each recruit was required to demonstrate that he could place ten shots in a ten inch circle at 200 yards. Berdan eventually recruited enough marksmen for two full regiments. Berdan's Sharpshooters were outfitted with special dark green uniforms with black buttons copied from uniforms of the British Rifle Brigade. In 1862, after contentious negotiations with the Chief of Ordnance, Berdan's Sharpshooters were issued Sharps M1859 Rifles with specially ordered double-set triggers. The 1st and 2nd U.S. Sharpshooters were assigned to III Corps of the Army of the Potomac and served with distinction as skirmishers and snipers throughout the Civil War. The serial number of this rifle, "56293", is in the recognized serial number range (54390-57574) for Berdan's Sharps Model 1859 Rifles. The rifle has the factory fitted double set triggers found on Berdan's Sharps rifles. The rifle has no loading lever latch; the loading lever latch was not fitted on rifles with double-set triggers. The rifle is correctly configured to mount a socket bayonet and has the long R.S. Lawrence patent folding leaf rear sight graduated to 800 yards. The left barrel flat is stamped with the initials of Ordnance Sub-Inspector Orville W. Ainsworth (O.W.A.). Ainsworth was the primary sub-inspector on the Berdan's contract Sharps rifles and his "O.W.A." inspection mark is one of the distinguishing features of these rifles. The rifle is fitted with the standard Lawrence patent pellet primer and has an iron patch box on the right side of the stock. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped "SHARPS RIFLE/MAUFG. CO./HARTFORD CONN." in three lines ahead of the rear sight and "NEW MODEL 1859" between their rear sight and the receiver. The rear sight base has the three-line "R.S. Lawrence" patent markings. The left side of the receiver is stamped "C.SHARPS' PAT./SEPT. 12th 1848" in two lines. "C.SHARPS' PAT/OCT.5th 1852" is stamped in two lines on the lock plate and "R.S. LAWRENCE PAT./APRIL 12th 1859" is stamped on the upper receiver behind the hammer. The inside of the patch box door is stamped with a sub-inspector's punch-mark. This rifle is listed by serial number on page 99 of "SHARPSHOOTER: HIRAM BERDAN, HIS FAMOUS SHARPSHOOTES AND THEIR SHARPS RIFLES" by Wiley Sword. The rifle is accompanied by a copy of a letter from author Wiley Sword dated October 28, 1996. The letter states that this rifle was listed in Sword's book as having a single trigger and that this reference was based on a report received by Sword in 1979. The letter further states that actual inspection of this rifle indicates that it is fitted with a factory double-set trigger and that the reference in Sword's book is incorrect. Inspection of the rifle shows that the double-set trigger is clearly original to the rifle and that the rifle has never been altered. Berdan's Sharpshooters were a major factor in the reputation of Sharps rifles for accuracy and reliability. Relatively few Civil War firearms can be identified to specific units and battles. This rifle almost certainly was used by a rifleman of the 1st or 2nd U.S. Sharpshooters at the Seven Days Battles and Antietam in 1862, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and Mine Run in 1863.

Very good. The rifle shows the service wear expected of a weapon that was actually used in combat. The blue finish on the barrel has aged to a smooth, plum brown, patina. The barrel is free form pitting, the markings are crisp and the bore is bright. The casehardened receiver, hammer, loading lever, patch box and buttplate have a mottled, gray-brown patina with smooth metal surfaces. All of the receiver markings are crisp. The pellet primer is complete. The action and double-set triggers function perfectly. The oil-finished, black walnut stock and forearm show moderate handling wear with scattered light dents and scratches. Traces of the original scrip "TJ" in a rectangle Ordnance final inspection mark are visible on the left side of the stock wrist. There is a repaired crack on the underside of the forearm that runs from the receiver to the lower barrel band. This is a completely original and very attractive example of one of the most well-known and historic Civil War weapons.