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HISTORIC BERDAN SHARPSHOOTERS MODEL 1859 SHARPS

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:6,000.00 - 9,000.00 USD
HISTORIC BERDAN SHARPSHOOTERS MODEL 1859 SHARPS

PERCUSSION RIFLE. Cal. 52. S#. 56683. Col. Hiram Berdan formed two regiments of elite sharpshooters. A portion of the Sharps rifles they were issued were fitted with double set triggers, these are the only military Sharps with double set triggers. One of the toughest tests for the sharpshooters was the battle of Gettysburg. 100 men from the 1st Regiment of sharpshooters and 200 men from the 3rd Maine infantry held Little Round Top against overwhelming odds and turned the tide of the war. Since the sharpshooters were a small unit and saw heavy action little of their equipment survives today. Bbl. 30" for socket type bayonet. Iron block front with German silver blade and Lawrence patent rear sight. Case colored action is fitted with double set triggers. Lock plate is fitted with the Lawrence patent primer feed and marked “C. SHARPS PAT./OCT. 5th 1852”. Three band forearm and straight grip stock with iron patch box and rifle buttplate. Rifle is in serial range of known issues Berdan Sharps, but this honest example is not inspected by John Taylor. Barrel has inspection of "O.W. Ainsworth" and no cartouche. CONDITION: metal finish has faded to a heavy brown patina. Wood shows heavy wear with age darkening having numerous scratches and dents. Stock has small chips around top tang with a crack extending from the buttplate peak. Screw at bottom rear of forearm is missing, sling swivels are removed. Rear sight leaf shows a slight bend. Functioning action. Pitted bore retains largely intact rifling. (01-21963/DS). ANTIQUE. $6,000-9,000.