New Model 1859 rifles were manufactured from 1859 to 1862 with special order, double-set trigger examples most famously issued to the green clad 1st and 2nd Regiments of U.S. Sharpshooters with another large lot issued to the Bucktails. These martially marked specimens are known as “Berdan” Sharpshooter Rifles”. Their serial numbers are documented as being in the 54,000-57,000 range, with other similarly configured guns in as low as the 36,000 range. This is one of the earlier specimens. This rifle has a wonderful and untouched original bold inscription on the patch-box, "G. W. ROMIG". Inscribed Civil War Long-arms are Extremely Rare. The rifle also has a blade front sight with base that doubles as the lug for a socket bayonet, three barrel bands, the three-line Bridgeport address ahead of the Lawrence patent notch and ladder rear sight, "NEW MODEL 1859" on top at the breech, standard Sharps and Lawrence patent markings, the serial number on the upper tang, adjustable double set triggers, and smooth stock and long military forearm, sling swivel studs on the middle barrel band and butt, and no visible government inspection markings. Consignor states in a notarized letter that he purchased this rifle in Lebanon, Pa. in 2004 from the last Romig descendant. Romig carried this gun throughout the war after his capture and release at Fredericksburg and brought it home when mustered out of service. Additionally, the descendant stated that combined, the descendants of Romig had killed at least 100 deer with this rifle, with the last being in 2003! An impressive research file including copies of original records on George W. Romig (1825-1904) of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, is included. He is listed in Company H of the 1st Pennsylvania Rifles ("Bucktails") starting on May 28, 1861, was captured at Fredericksburg on December 13, 1862, as wounded at Gettysburg on July 2-3, 1863, and was transferred to Company H of the 190th Pennsylvania Volunteers on May 31, 1863 as a veteran and was promoted to corporal. He was promoted to sergeant on June 13, 1865, and mustered out with the company on June 28, 1865. The National Parks Service also confirms membership in these units, rank in as a private and rank out as a sergeant. The Bucktails were part of the famous Pennsylvania Reserve Division of the Army of the Potomac that saw action in multiple campaigns and suffered heavy casualties, including during many of the most famous battles of the war. They were one of the few regiments armed with Model 1859 rifles like the famous Berdan Sharpshooters and received their breechloading rifles for the Maryland Campaign in 1862 and suffered heavy losses at Antietam on September 17, 1862, and went on to fight at Fredericksburg before being sent to Washington, D.C. to recuperate. They then fought at Gettysburg and Spotsylvania before mustering out on June 11, 1864. They lost eleven officers and 151 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded and another eighty-eight from disease. One account states: "The impetuous Reserves charged across Plum Run Valley (now called the Valley of Death) and halted at the stone wall on the eastern border of the Wheatfield. Armed with Sharps Rifles instead of the standard rifled-muskets, the Bucktails' hot fire forced the Rebels to withdraw across the trampled wheat. But Colonel Taylor, carelessly exposing himself, was killed as the regiment reformed and went into line of battle." Romig was also wounded at Gettysburg as details in the included muster rolls and medical records. He was hit with a ball that passed through the upper left of his chest and out his back. A few inches different and he would have been killed. The Bucktails and other Pennsylvania Reserves had arrived on the scene from Cemetery Ridge to the north and met the charging Confederates as the other Union troops were in disarray. Imagine how the Confederates must have felt originally seeing the Union troops fleeing as they captured that strategic landmark only to be faced with the fresh Pennsylvania Reserves who met their charge and then poured on deadly fire. The unit's history is worth reading in "History of the Bucktails: Kane Rifle Regiment of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corp" from 1906 which notes their use of their Sharps at Antietam and Gettysburg. The veterans and recruits were transferred to the 190th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry which was originally organized in the field from a mix of veterans and recruits of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps on May 31, 1864. The 190th fought in multiple battles, including Cold Harbor and the Siege of Petersburg, including the mine explosion, and were at Appomattox Court House for the surrender of General Robert E. Lee. They participated in the Grand Review before mustering out on June 28, 1865. They lost three officers and forty-three men killed or mortally wounded and 168 to disease. Romig's obituary indicates he was active in the Grand Army of the Republic. Some sources list him as dying in 1905, but his gravestone and obituary clearly indicate he died on December 25, 1904. His brother Martin (1832-1894) also fought in the war as a member of Company G of the 195th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry.

Good, with metal a mix of gray and brown patina overall, mild pitting, and general moderate wear appropriate for a member of a unit that saw action in the most significant battles of the Civil War. The markings, including the inscription, remain distinct. The wood is also good and has some minor chips and slivers absent at the edges, a hairline crack between the rear of the lock and the upper tang, small chip on the lower corner of the wrist on the left, general moderate marks and scratches, and some residue on the left side of the butt. Bore shows heavy use with only slight traces of rifling. Mechanically fine, including the set triggers. Weapons that saw action at Gettysburg and especially those carried by soldiers wounded or killed in action are the most desirable of all Civil War Arms and finding an inscribed Civil War Long-arm is almost impossible. This is the only Inscribed Berdan style Sharps Rifle we have ever seen offered for sale and it obviously saw action at multiple significant Civil War battles including Gettysburg where G.W. Romig was wounded in action while fighting on his home state's soil, very close to his own home.