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Colonel
Hiram
Berdan
211
This rifle has a nickel-silver blade front sight correctly in a fixed block
mount that doubles as a socket bayonet lug, Lawrence patent notch and
ladder rear sight, standard markings including the Sharps Hartford address
on top of the barrel ahead of the rear sight and “NEW MODEL 1859” at the
breech, adjustable double set triggers, long military style forearm, sling
swivels on the middle barrel band and buttstock, an iron patch box, and
is correctly not fit with a lever latch. The matching serial number “54790”
is marked on the upper receiver tang and underside of the barrel. “W.C.”
inspection initials on the left breech of the barrel of William Chapman who
worked at the Sharps plant under Charles Hartwell from August of 1861
to April of 1862. The left wrist area of the stock has a very faint outline of
a bordered inspection cartouche that was likely “JT” of John Taylor, who
reportedly inspected all 2,000 of the Berdan special contract rifles between
April 11 and May 24, 1862. Most of these rifles saw hard use in some of
the most significant major battles of the Civil War in a specialized role
similar to a modern day sniper rifle, with many dropped in battle; surviving
examples are highly sought after today!
CONDITION: Very good, exhibiting signs of genuine use and wear acceptable
for a Civil War used Berdan Sharps, with smooth gray and brown patina,
scattered brown spotting, some mild pitting on the breech block, some
original blue finish showing on the band springs, and defined markings in
the metal. Wood is also very good as re-oiled, with mild wear, scattered dings,
edge wear, and faint outline of the cartouche. Mechanically excellent. A solid
representative example of a historic Berdan Sharps rifle, with desirable signs
of period use!
Estimate: 11,000 - 16,000