Sharps New Model 1859 rifle manufactured c. 1862. This is one of 2,000 Sharps Model 1859 rifles purchased by the Ordnance Department for issue to the 1st and 2nd U.S. Sharpshooter Regiments organized and recruited by Col. Hiram Berdan in 1861-62. Berdan was a prominent New York businessman and target shooter who recruited two regiments of sharpshooters. 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. After considerable lobbying by Berdan, the Ordnance Department agreed to supply the Sharpshooters with 2,000 Sharps rifles. Genuine examples of the Model 1859 rifles manufactured for Berdan's U.S. Sharpshooters fall within the reported serial number range of 54374-57567. Berdan rifles are known to have factory double set triggers, and all had a 30 inch barrel with a block front sight that serves as a socket bayonet lug, Lawrence patent ladder rear sight with readings graduated to 800 yards and a 900 yard center notch at the top, and a casehardened iron patch box. On pg. 82 of the book "Sharpshooter" by Wiley Sword it 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." The U.S.S. regiments were assigned to the Army of the Potomac and saw extensive action at the battles of Yorktown, Gaines Mill, Glendale, Malvern Hill, Grovetown and Antietam in 1862. In 1863 the regiments were heavily engaged at Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and Mine Run. By autumn of 1863 most of the surviving members of the 1st U.S.S. completed their three-year enlistment and were mustered out of service. The survivors of the 2nd U.S.S. continued to serve until February 1865 when the regiment was disbanded. The Berdan's Sharpshooters served with distinction in some of the most important battles of the Civil War and claimed to have inflicted more casualties on the Confederate Army than any other Federal regiments. The U.S.S. contract rifles were primarily sub-inspected by Orville W. Ainsworth and Ordnance final inspector John Taylor and are marked the block initials "O.W.A." (A is obliterated) on the left barrel flat and the script initials "JT" (illegible with a very faint outline visible) in and oval on the left stock wrist. The underside flat of the forearm ahead of the trigger guard is marked with the block initials "T.W.R." The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: "SHARPS RIFLE/MANUFG. CO./HARTFORD CONN." in three lines ahead of the rear sight and "NEW MODEL 1859" behind it. The matching serial number "56429" is stamped on the underside of the barrel. The receiver is fitted with factory double-set triggers and the standard Lawrence pellet primer. The right side plate is roll-stamped with the standard Sharps 1852 patent markings and the R.S. Lawrence 1859 patent markings. The left side of the receiver is stamped with the Sharps two-line patent markings. The serial number "56429" is stamped on the upper receiver tang. The middle barrel band and stock are fitted with factory sling swivels. The barrel and breechblock were originally blued, and the barrel bands, receiver, hammer, lever, patch box and buttplate were color casehardened. The stock and forearm are straight grain American walnut.

Very good. The metal surfaces have a silver-gray patina overall. The barrel, frame, patch box, buttplate, and small components have scattered light pitting with mostly clear markings. The frame has some patches of mild pitting from period use. The lock appears to be a period field replacement with a small patch of light pitting at the rear, and sharp markings. The replacement stock is fine with light handling wear, a scuff at the right front of the forearm, an absent 1 1/2 inch sliver beneath the lock, a small chip at the top rear of the lock, the lightly struck Ordnance final inspection cartouche on the left side of the wrist is no longer visible, scratches on the left around the stock screw, and light chipping at the toe. Mechanically excellent. The Berdan Sharps Rifles are among the most desirable Civil War longarms, and considered to be the most accurate and feared weapon of the time in the hands of a Berdan Sharpshooter!