For they that are interested in 'American Civil War' Snipers and the weapons they used this is a rather interesting link.
http://a248.e.akamai.net/f/248/1785....com/17859/history/0505_Civil_War_Snipers.pdf
Also;
http://clevelandcivilwarroundtable.com/articles/means/sharpshooter.htm
http://www.berdansharpshooters.com/art.html
This is an example of a Sharps New Model 1859 Rifle that was manufactured in 1862 as part of a 2000-gun contract to arm the 1st and 2nd United States Sharpshooter Regiments (Berdan's Sharpshooters). The rifle has the distinctive combination of double-set triggers and front sight stud for angular socket bayonet that are found on all of the 2000 M1859 Rifles ordered by the Ordnance Department on January 27 and February 6, 1862 at the request of Colonel Hiram Berdan for issue to the U.S. Sharpshooter Regiments. Most on the documented Berdan Sharps Rifles are found in the 54,374-57,574 serial number range. This rifle, serial number 54,478, is listed on page 98 of "SHARPSHOOTER" by Wiley Sword as one of 47 Model 1859 Sharps Rifles identified by Sword in the correct serial number range with double-set triggers and angular bayonet mount. Approximately 180 of the Sharps rifles purchased for Berdan's Sharpshooters were issued to the famous 42nd Pennsylvania Infantry (Bucktails) in August 1862 and were used by that hard-fighting regiment throughout the Civil War. The rifle has a bayonet lug front sight base with steel blade and R.S. Lawrence folding leaf rear sight with 900 yard center notch. The lock has the R.S. Lawrence patent pellet primer and factory double set triggers. The walnut forearm has a steel tip. The walnut stock has a casehardened iron patchbox with Ordnance punch-dot inspection mark on the inside of the lid. The Ordnance sub-inspector's initials "S.L." are stamped on the left barrel flat. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the two-line legend: "SHARPS RIFLE/MANUFG. CO./HARTFORD CONN." in three lines ahead of the rear sight and "NEW MODEL 1859" in a single line between the rear sight and the receiver. The left side of the receiver is stamped with the two-line Sharps 1848 patent date. The R.S. Lawrence 1859 patent date is located behind the hammer and "C.SHARPS PAT/OCT.5th 1852" is roll-stamped on the lock plate. The serial number, "54478" is stamped on the upper tang. The 1st and 2nd U.S. Sharpshooters were among the most famous and effective Federal regiments in the Civil War. Their distinctive Sharps Model 1859 Set-Trigger Rifles saw action in most of the major battles in which the Army of the Potomac was engaged and are some of the most historic and desirable weapons of the Civil War.
BBL: 30 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 52 percussion
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 54478
Condition: Good. The metal surfaces have been lightly cleaned many years ago and have a silver-gray patina. The barrel, receiver, patchbox and small components are free from pitting and have minimal handling marks. The buttplate has some scattered light pitting. The markings on the barrel, rear sight base, receiver and lock plate are clear. There is crack in the upper receiver tang at the upper tang screw. The lever key retainer plunder is lost in the cylinder. The walnut stock and forearm have moderate handling wear. The stock wrist has typical handling wear and the lightly struck Ordnance final inspection mark on the left side of the wrist is no longer visible.
Still at auction it sold for ;
10,000.00 USD to floor
+ (1,950.00) buyer's premium + taxes, fees, etc...
May 2011----and it was not an excellent piece.
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Back in the 1990s Time Life Books did an approx. 30 volume series on the U.S. Civil War.
I ended getting that whole series.
Following that they did a three volume series called “Echoes of Glory”.
Arms and Equipment of the Union, and Arms and Equipment of the Confederacy, and The Illustrated Civil War ATLAS.
The photos are very decent …..I guess that that I am glad that bought this stuff back then.
All of the principal sharpshooter arms are shown.
The pieces that they used were not necessarily pristine pieces but show the result of what they went through during the war.
It is rather well done.
