Back To The Wheatfield

[rlbrutke]

BACK TO THE WHEATFIELD

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

Tell about these photos!

 

[rlbrutke]

These are a few of the photos that my son took of my 1859 Sharps "Berdan" back in late July of 2025. I wanted to take them in our family wheatfield (Idaho) to pay a bit of homage to that particular Gettysburg battle. It seemed like the thing to do at the time. I hope that they are enjoyed.

 

[Papabyrd]

Nice old rifle

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

There aren't too many Berdans listed by exact serial number, I don't think. Does yours have "0" as the last numeral of the serial?

 

[johan_steele]

These are a few of the photos that my son took of my 1859 Sharps "Berdan" back in late July of 2025. I wanted to take them in our family wheatfield (Idaho) to pay a bit of homage to that particular Gettysburg battle. It seemed like the thing to do at the time. I hope that they are enjoyed.

Beautiful Sharps. Congrats on having her. For many that would be the crown of their collection.

 

[rlbrutke]

There aren't too many Berdans listed by exact serial number, I don't think. Does yours have "0" as the last numeral of the serial?

Yes, it does. It is listed in Wiley Sword's book, "Sharpshooter: Hiram Berdan, His Famous Sharpshooters and their Sharps Rifles"

 

[rlbrutke]

Beautiful Sharps. Congrats on having her. For many that would be the crown of their collection.

Thanks for the reply. It is definitely a prized jewel in that crown. That's for sure! My hopes are, that someday, I will start a museum so that all can enjoy. Hopefully, it'll attract a few people. Being in small town Idaho vs near a major CW battlefield or even an old west tourist town, it may have to be attached to a restaurant, so that people can peruse the complete collection before or after they dine. I'm still dreamin' up a business plan.

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

Yes, it does. It is listed in Wiley Sword's book, "Sharpshooter: Hiram Berdan, His Famous Sharpshooters and their Sharps Rifles"

Yes, that is what I was wondering. I suspect you are a student of these Brendan Sharps - how many are known by serial number?

 

[rlbrutke]

Yes, that is what I was wondering. I suspect you are a student of these Brendan Sharps - how many are known by serial number?

When Sword first wrote his book in 1988, he had recorded only 49 rifles known to still exist. Today, any Google search will say that the number has grown to upwards of 60 rifles known (yet I have not seen an updated list). I would wager quite a sum on the idea that many more exist and have simply not been recognized as being the rare rifles that history knows them to be. Basically, you don't know what you got, unless you know what you got. I'm quite sure that with increased interest in these rifles and the relative ease at which research can now be done on the internet, more and more will start popping up. Do you or any of your resources know of an updated list?

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

I don't know of any better source. Was Wiley working from serial numbers recorded at time of use or was he able to identify by looking at the rifle itself?

 

[rlbrutke]

That's a great question. In his book, it only states, "List of Surviving Sharps Berdan Rifles - Correct Profile. Sharps New Model 1859 military rifles, reported as having double set triggers, fitted for the angular bayonet, and inspected by John Taylor, [(JT) cartouche on reverse of stock upper wrist]." I've checked a few other books that I have by Marcot, Sellers.... but I see nothing listed in those....that I can find. I, too, would like to know exactly when & how this list was generated and if there is a more recent list after 1988? If anyone has any leads, please let me know.