January 23rd 2016 Firearms Sale
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/22/2016
Barrel length 36", .52 bore. If one was to enter the Civil War Museum in Gettysburg, they would find a nearly identical rifle that was found lying next to a dead sniper at Devil's Den. This rifle features an octagon to round heavy barrel that measures 1-1/2" at muzzle. It has a side lock, single shot, exposed hammer, with double set triggers, brass rifle butt plate, brass trigger guard, brass nose cap, nickel silver barrel attachment escutcheon with single wedge. Cleaning rod is attached with a single brass thimble (rear) with two iron thimbles attached to a solid, full length under rib. There is a rear sight slot which is filled and an original Civil War tube scope that measures 40", whose front mount occupies the front sight slot and adjusted from a rear mount that is attached to the rear tang. Walnut stock has a brass fore-end cap and is in near mint condition with a couple of minor bumps but no cracks anywhere. Metal is a soft brown patina. It has a strong, near mint rifled bore with 8 lands. It comes with a detachable, false loading muzzle. Action is perfect. We can find no maker's marks anywhere, but the workmanship is of the highest quality. The vast majority were individually made with no two alike. These heavy barrel sniper rifles were widely used by both sides in the great struggle of 1861-1865. Snipers would often perch themselves in trees and haul these rifles up by ropes. They picked off officers and artilleryman at distances of 1/2 mile or more. The rule of war dictated the taking out of officers to scatter and confuse the troops and the Civil War sniper played an important role towards that endeavor. With all of the recent emphasis on snipers and sniper shooting, this rifle represents the genesis of that profession. This 22 pound behemoth is worthy of any first class Civil War collection.