This rifle was manufactured by Horace E. Dimick's firm in St. Louis, Missouri. He competed in sharpshooting contests to publicize the firearms produced by himself and his employees. At one antebellum contest held in St. Louis, H.E. Dimick and Company finished first in every event they competed in. The included THE GUN REPORT article by Dan P. Fagen explains that Dimick furnished 150 rifles of his design and a variety of those made by many other western gunsmiths to what became 66th Illinois Volunteer Infantry under Col. J.W. Birge. The unit was known as Birge's Western Sharpshooters and was composed of men from many states. General Fremont reportedly required all recruits for this unit to "fire a three-shot group, not exceeding three inches, at 200 yards with open sights." A member of the unit said his "gun carries 1/2 oz. balls and will carry 400 yards with level sites [sic]." The article discusses rifle "937" in particular, and given that that rifle has been positively identified as one of 150 issued to the Western Sharpshooters, it is unlikely that this example was on hand to be issued to the unit. It is however, very similar in design and is fitted with a heavy octagon barrel with "173" marked on the muzzle, blade front and "U" notch rear sights, and "E. DIMICK ST. LOUIS" behind the replaced rear sight. The remaining components including the back action lock plate are unmarked. It is equipped with double set triggers and mounted on a straight wrist walnut half-stock with German silver cap and escutcheons and a steel buttplate. It includes a wooden ramrod with brass tip and has a replaced nipple.