http://www.deadfred.com/photos/62313.jpgA fascinating studio photo of Pvt. Sanford posted on the Shiloh Sharps (1863 percussion discussion group). What is interesting about this photo is it shows Sanford standing with his dst Sharps rifle and tang sight fixed to the wrist of the stock. So despite my contention that Sharpshooters did not modify their rifles, this is the singluar incidence after 20 years of research that I have discovered where a sharpshooter added his own sight to the issue Sharps. He is attired in Regulation USSS uniform coat, trousers and cap.
His hand is covering the front sight, so I can't tell if he further modified his rifle by adding a globe sight.
According to 'Buffalo Bob' , who posted the photo also discovered a letter (dated May 6, 1864) written by Sanford to his father about the Battle of the Wilderness. One line in the letter said:
"I tried my new sights and they work well." Obviously referring to the tang sight in the photo. Bob googled "Ozias Sanford" and found the photo showing a picture of the sight that he wrote his father about after the Battle of the Wilderness; Bob reports: "So I decided to relieve the dealer of the burden of having that letter."
Keep in mind that Sanford's rifle is the EXCEPTION to the rule. Sharps rifles were considered Government property and were not to be tampered with. The Captain was responsible for any damage or loss of the Sharps.
Bill Skillman
Randolph Mess-USSS