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LOT 1195
Exceptional, Possibly Finest Known, Civil War Berdan’s Sharpshooters Sharps New Model 1859 Percussion Rifle with Leather Sleeve Inscribed J. B. Baker - Serial no. 55015, 52 cal., 30 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. 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. Berdan’s two U.S. Sharpshooter
Sensational Sharps 1859 Rifle from One of America's First Elite Civil War Units, Berdan's Sharpshooters
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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, 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 underside flat of the forearm ahead of the trigger guard and the top of the stock ahead of the buttplate is marked with the inspector initials “O.W.A.” (Orville W. Ainsworth). 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 underside of the barrel is marked with the matching serial number “55015” ahead of an “X”, “2” and an “eagle”. A partial “O” is stamped on the left side of the barrel below the wood line. The receiver is fitted with the Lawrence pellet primer. The right side plate is roll-stamped with the 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 “55015” is stamped on the upper receiver tang. The middle barrel band and stock are fitted with factory sling swivels. The barrel and breechblock are blued, and the barrel bands, receiver, hammer, lever, patch box and buttplate are color casehardened. The stock and forearm are straight grain American walnut. Includes a period leather sleeve marked “J. B. BAKER” and embellished with borders surrounding a sun on either side. A Private James Baker of Wayne County, Michigan is listed as a 1st U.S. Volunteer Sharpshooter mustered in with Company K on November 19th, 1861 at 20 years of age and reportedly “deserted” camp in Detroit Michigan on March 3rd, 1862.