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Colonel Hiram Berdan
According to Marcot’s book “Sharp’s Firearms, The
Percussion Era 1848-1865” by Roy Marcot, “...the first of
the rifles for Berdan were sent from Hartford... to Berdan’s
1st Regiment on May 8, 1862.”This would mean that Private
James Baker deserted two months before the first shipments
of these Sharps rifles were received. Interestingly, there is also a
Captain James H. Baker (different middle initial than what is on the
case) of Lansing, Michigan mustered in with Company C on August
26th, 1861 at 22 years of age. This Captain James H. Baker would receive
a left wrist injury at Second Bull Run, Virginia on August 30th, 1862 and a
second injury involving a piece of shell in the chest at Chancellorsville, Virginia on
May 3rd, 1863, and survived to tell about it with a muster out date of November 21st, 1863.
It is certainly plausible the J. B. Baker marked on this leather sleeve is related, or a leather maker. Of the surviving Berdan Sharps rifles left today, this example offered is possibly the finest specimen extant and was stored away from the light of day for many years. Most of these rifles would see hard use in the major battles of the Civil War and be dropped in battle or go through multiple arsenal overhauls. Also included are two rare single cavity bullet molds and a lead ladle marked “4”.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retaining 95% original blue finish on the barrel with some light muzzle wear from bayonet mounting. 75% plus vivid original case colors concentrated on the frame and patch box with some scattered light spotting and areas of light brown and gray patina on the casehardened surfaces. Wood is excellent with some light handling marks and crisp inspector marks. Mechanically excellent. Included leather sleeve is fair with some aging, dry cracked edges, and otherwise fine embellishments. Included bullet molds and ladle are fair with some scattered corrosion. This spectacular Civil War Berdan Sharps rifle would be nearly impossible to improve upon and make for a cherished centerpiece to any U.S. Martial collection!
Estimate: 40,000 - 60,000
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