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**RARE**BERDAN’s SHARP SHOOTERS CONNECTIONS**MATCHING NUMBERS**1860-1863 American Civil War Era Remington-Beals Patent .36 Naval Calibre Cap & Ball Percussion Revolver Regiment Marked ‘1.SS’ To The 1st (Berdan’s) Sharp Shooters Regiment. Sn 22643:5 - 22643:5 The Remington Navy percussion revolvers were manufactured by Remington & Sons in .36 Calibre. Navy Models were produced between 1860 to 1875 however pistols made to Beals' 1858 patent were only produced between 1860 and 1863 and only approx 14,500 were made. The Beals' Patent revolvers were popular with both Union & Confederate Officers during the Civil War as they permitted easy cylinder removal allowing a quick reload with a spare pre-loaded cylinder, an advantage over other revolver designs of the time. During the Civil War there were two green uniformed regiments in service of the Union Army. These were the First and Second Regiments of United States Sharpshooters, very much celebrated and publicized units in their time. For 15 years before the Civil War, Hiram Berdan was one of this country's leading marksmen. When Fort Sumter was fired upon, Berdan developed a plan to form a unique regiment made up of the country's best marksmen. Because of Berdan's political connections, he had little difficulty in getting his idea approved by the War Department. By July 1861, his idea had become a reality, and he was appointed the Colonel of the 1st Regiment United States Sharp Shooters. During battle, the mission of the sharpshooter was to kill enemy targets of importance (i.e. officers, NCOs & artillery crews from long range which they did to good effect. Armed with Sharps and other similar rifles Sharpshooters would also carry sidearms such as Colt & Remington revolvers. This is an original Remington-Beals, Navy .36 calibre percussion revolver. The underside of the frame is poorly struck ‘SS’ on top of ‘1’ to the 1st Regiment Sharp Shooters (Berdan’s Rifles) below ‘47’ (most likely a unit weapon number). We cannot find any other regiment designation to any other civil war Regiment bearing letters and numbers ‘1SS’. The pistol’s all original undamaged metalwork has aged even grey / blue colour and areas of light holster wear. It has the correct factory nickel plated brass trigger guard, German Silver conical foresight & grooved cylinder frame rear sight. It’s original Walnut grips are undamaged with just light holster wear to be expected. The grip frame under the left grip is numbered ‘6923’ which is repeated on the underside of the barrel. The top of its 7 ¼” octagonal barrel is crisply marked 'BEALS PATENT. SEPT. 14. 1858 / MANUFACTURED BY REMINGTONS' / ILION, N Y'. The barrel's rifled bore is clean. The pistol's cocking and firing action is crisp. The price for this piece of American Civil War history to a famous Regiment worthy of further research includes UK delivery. NB As an antique percussion pistol no licence is required to own this item within the UK if retained as part of a collection or display. Sn 22643:5
£2,250.00
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