Lot 1061
A SHARPS NEW MODEL 1859 MILITARY RIFLE.
1 – 10 April 2025, 12:00 EDT
Online, Skinner Marlborough, MassachusettsSold for US$3,525 inc. premium
Looking for a similar item?
Our Arms and Armour specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.
Find your local specialistAsk about this lot
Christopher Fox
Director
A SHARPS NEW MODEL 1859 MILITARY RIFLE.
Serial number 57248, .52 caliber, round barrel marked at the breech "NEW MODEL 1859" and with partial Sharps Rifle manufacturer markings; single trigger; the case colored lock plate marked "R.S. LAWRENCE PAT/APRIL 12TH 1859" and "SHARPS' PAT/OCT 5TH 1852", the left side marked "C. SHARPS' PAT./SEPT. 12TH 1848"; walnut tock marked "C.B.G." in front of the trigger guard/lever and a later oval cartouche on left side of the wrist; steel furniture including a butt plate, patch box, trigger plate, three bands and a nose cap.
Barrel lg. 30, overall lg. 47 1/8 in.
Condition: Barrel cleaned bright and lacks the rear sight; lock plate case color is strong, frame toned to light gray; stock has been refinished and the cartouche on the left side of the wrist appears to be an attempt at restoration, furniture toned to light gray, bore is bright and has very light pitting at the breech, rifling is mostly sharp, action functions properly.
Barrel lg. 30, overall lg. 47 1/8 in.
Condition: Barrel cleaned bright and lacks the rear sight; lock plate case color is strong, frame toned to light gray; stock has been refinished and the cartouche on the left side of the wrist appears to be an attempt at restoration, furniture toned to light gray, bore is bright and has very light pitting at the breech, rifling is mostly sharp, action functions properly.
Footnotes
Note
While this rifle's serial number falls within the range of rifles known to have been used by Hiram Berdan's Sharpshooters, it lacks the distinctive double set trigger typically associated with Berdan's rifles. Civil War Weapons Search letters associated with this rifle suggest the rifle may have originally been issued to a soldier of the 190th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry in 1862 or the 2nd Veteran Volunteer Infantry in June 1865.
Accompanying the lot are two Civil War Weapons Search letters and a copy of Wiley Sword, Sharpshooter: Hiram Berdan, his Famous Sharpshooters and Their Rifles (Lincoln, RI: Andrew Mowbray Inc., 1988).