Kentucky Derby Cavalier.
First Sergeant
- Joined
- Oct 24, 2019
I was watching one of my favorite YT channels, and my curiousity was piqued. What was the prevalence of rifles such as the one used in the video? Didn't Berdan's boys have a few of these?
What were they replaced with?Early in the War and often continuing throughout the War these heavy benchrest/target rifle were used by Sharpshooter Units until more suitable (lighter and more durable) weapons could be obtained. If these weapons were used, they were often carried in a wagon until they were needed.
As you said, Berdan's group got double triggered Sharps and in the South, Whitworth's , Kerr's and especially the two banded Enfield's were a popular and very accurate weapon.What were they replaced with?
Yuh know it's interesting, Iv'e never thought of a Sharps as a weapon for snipers, I always thought they were for cavalry.As you said, Berdan's group got double triggered Sharps and in the South, Whitworth's , Kerr's and especially the two banded Enfield's were a popular and very accurate weapon.
I don’t believe that Berdan’s troops were “snipers” in the way we define it today. Probably more like an entire group of “designated marksmen”. They were used for skirmishing and other traditional infantry roles in ways that a sniper wouldn’t be.Yuh know it's interesting, Iv'e never thought of a Sharps as a weapon for snipers, I always thought they were for cavalry.
I didn't know there were long-barreled Sharps rifles, how interesting.I don’t believe that Berdan’s troops were “snipers” in the way we define it today. Probably more like an entire group of “designated marksmen”. They were used for skirmishing and other traditional infantry roles in ways that a sniper wouldn’t be.
Also, these were long-barreled Sharps rifles, not the cavalry carbines we’re used to. Pretty accurate for the ACW.
One of the best books that I have found on sharpshooting in the Civil War is Sharpshooting in the Civil War by John L. Plaster. The Sharp's Double Set Rifle as used by Berdan's Sharpshooter's drawing by Woodbridge.I didn't know there were long-barreled Sharps rifles, how interesting.
As shown in the post by @redbob above, a better description is probably “full-stocked”, as many of the Sharps cartridge rifles had longer barrels with a shorter forearm. The Berdan models are a little lesser-known as the carbine was one of the most-used weapons of the Union cavalry, and what is most-often discussed. Always thought it would be very cool to have one, as they are great looking.I didn't know there were long-barreled Sharps rifles, how interesting.
A Sharp's carbine in it's original form is not that uncommon to locate, but the rifle takes a bit more looking as it's the rarer of the two.As shown in the post by @redbob above, a better description is probably “full-stocked”, as many of the Sharps cartridge rifles had longer barrels with a shorter forearm. The Berdan models are a little lesser-known as the carbine was one of the most-used weapons of the Union cavalry, and what is most-often discussed. Always thought it would be very cool to have one, as they are great looking.
Iv'e heard some were quite heavy, don't quote me on this, but I think I heard some of the heavier target rifles were 35lbs.Jack Hinson's rifle was said to weigh 16 pound, but I don't know what caliber it was.
I googled it, man that thing was huge lol.Jack Hinson's rifle was said to weigh 16 pound, but I don't know what caliber it was.
Did you pull this from Pendersoli's website? Do you know if this Swiss model was used in the ACW?