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. 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 during the Civil War. 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]." This rifle has blade front and notch rear sights. "E. DIMICK ST. LOUIS" is marked behind the replaced rear sight and "HITCHCOCK & MUZZY" is marked on the bottom at the breech along with star stamps and a "1". The latter firm produced high quality barrels for multiple rifle makers. 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 and patch box . The lock plate and breech have light scrollwork designs. A striped wooden ramrod is included.