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Berdan Contract Serial # Rifle For Sale
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Author:  David Rider [ Fri Jan 02, 2009 9:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Berdan Contract Serial # Rifle For Sale

Gentleman,

I finally found some time to take some pictures of my Berdan Contract Rifle. It is Serial #56664, it has the Cartouche on the stock and a inspectors mark under one of the barrel bands. Here is a link to all of the pictures. I also include a few of the Collins & Co Bayonet.

http://www.berdansharpshooters.com/1859Sharps/

You can clearly see the Cartouche in this image, just can't make out the initials:
Image

Author:  KangViper [ Sat Jan 03, 2009 12:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Berdan Contract Serial # Rifle

That's a good looking Sharps that you have there Dave!

Author:  Jboring [ Wed Dec 15, 2010 5:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Berdan Contract Serial # Rifle

Dave, does your loading lever have a catch? Does that part differ from the single trigger standard model?

Author:  Bill Skillman [ Thu Dec 16, 2010 9:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Berdan Contract Serial # Rifle

Jboring and fellow Sharpshooters;

A great book for Christmas would be Civil War Sharps Rifles and Carbines, written by Jerry Coates and John McAulay and published by Thomas Press out of Gettysburg. Amazon Books has 5 new from $13.99 7 used from $12.73. I have found it an indespensible guide to understand all of the variants of the Sharps arms during the War; also great photos and a listing of regiments armed with Sharps carbines and rifles.

In addition to the changes specified by Berdan to Richard Lawrence and the Sharps Rifle Mfg. Co. for his command; the set trigger system eliminated the sliding lever catch. Originally, the catch feature was designed for the Cavalry/Dragoons. This prevented the lever from lowering when the horse was at a trot or gallop, causing the powder charge to be lost. The ammunition for the first carbines was the 'cut tail' type (eventually converted to the 'flat based' cartridge after the 1860 Ordnance trials), and once the the rear of the cartridge was sheared off the powder was exposed. Interestingly-all of the rest of the New Model 1859 and 1863 Sharps rifles manufactured (Infantry Model) retained the lever catch system.

Hope this helps.

Bill Skillman
Randolph Mess-USSS

Author:  Jboring [ Thu Dec 16, 2010 12:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Berdan Contract Serial # Rifle

As always Bill, you remain an source of a pleathora of knowledge. This answers my question. Thank you.

Author:  David Rider [ Mon Jul 30, 2012 8:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Berdan Contract Serial # Rifle

I have decided to sell my original rifle, if anyone is interested, I will sell it for $8,000. It is currently at the Horse Soldier in Gettysburg. please let me know if you are interested.

Pictures are available here: http://www.berdansharpshooters.com/1859Sharps/ Does not include Bayonet

Author:  lastchip [ Mon Aug 06, 2012 8:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Berdan Contract Serial # Rifle For Sale

If that rifle could talk.... I'm sure your sad to part with it, but I also sure the next caretake of this piece of tangible history will care for it just as well as you have.



David
11th Conn Vol Regiment
www.11thcvi.org

Author:  Ethan Whitehall [ Tue Aug 07, 2012 4:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Berdan Contract Serial # Rifle For Sale

GAH!!!! If only I had extra $8000 to spend, Id snatch that piece of history up in a heartbeat.

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