Calum and fellow Sharpshooters,
You lie in wait for things to turn up-they eventually do. I mentioned some of the CSA troops being issued obsolete flintlocks from state arsenals early in the War. On the Civil War Forum an image of a early War Confederate posing with his M1816 flintlock is featured.
https://civilwartalk.com/threads/rebel- ... et.102785/While this doesn't answer Calum's original question if prospective sharpshooters attended shooting trials with flintlock rifle muskets (not to mention using them in battle), it is a great image. Both Brian and I have continued to look through pages of original documents (me) and original CDV's (Brian), we haven't found any documentation to support the use of flintlocks during trials or action by the USSS.
Hope this helps.
Bill Skillman
Bugler
Hudson Squad Mess