Ask the Appraiser

Sharpshooter Rifle

By John Sexton · Originally published March 2020 · pp. 20–21

Dear John, My question is “Is there a fee for your appraisal/authentication services?” I am the great great grandson of Pvt. Ira Lunt. He fought with Company D, 2nd Regiment USSS. He volunteered out of Maine but later settled in New Castle Delaware. I live in the house he built in New Castle. He was a stone mason by trade. Anyway, I am so lucky to have many items from his service. Most importantly I have the target rifle he used in the USSS. It’s in remarkably good condition. I would love to have it appraised and authenticated. I also have his Berdan SS Medal also in amazing condition. I have the molds for the bullets and many of his GAR medals as well. Thank you T.W. Lunt Dear Mr. Lunt, Hiram Berdan was the most well known proponent of sharpshooters in the Civil War and “Berdan’s US Sharp Shooter’s” were the most famous unit of marksmen changing history with regular military use of dreaded snipers. There are several excellent texts written on Berdan and his men that give an indepth history. Your great-great grandfather Ira Lunt was 33 years old when he joined Company D, 2nd US Sharpshooters. He had just transferred from the 17th Maine Infantry. Ira was from Oldtown, Maine, just north of Bangor. Your rifle is most likely the finest and best identified of any heavy barrel sharpshooter’s rifle extant. The condition appears to be very good to fine retaining traces of finish with dark plum/ brown patina overall to barrel, lock, and breech. The scope and scope mounts also appear quite fine. Scopes are always so fragile, and usually damaged after

Ira Lunt when GAR post commander postwar. 150 years, especially those of extremely long barrel length. Fortunately, this example has been stored in partitioned wood case box for a long time. The accessories all appear to be wartime though the large fluted brass powder flask looks out of place. Note the cap containers are all Civil War era as are the “picket” The bullet mold, projectiles, cap bullets which are rare in excavated form from Civil War sites containers, bullet starter, and and highly sought by projectile collectors. They have long been “false muzzle” all appear original associated with American long rifles. to time of use. What makes this rifle so valuable and rare is the retained documentation including your ancestor’s original docketed letter requesting use of this custom “telescopic rifle” made for his specifications by Bangor, Maine, gunsmith, Malcom Long. It is Barrel markings of barrel maker O. Huse from Manchester, amazing that the rifle is signed by N.H., and Malcom W. Long (1834–1912) of Bangor, Maine, who the maker and we know that Ira made this rifle for Ira Lunt in 1864. Lunt’s rifle was used at Petersburg, Va., where sharpshooters, both Union and Confederate, were more prominent than any other Transcription of Ira Lunt’s request to use his personally purchased “telescopic rifle” he wrote from Petersburg, Va.

time or place in the Civil War. The last fine heavy barrel scoped Civil War sharpshooter rifle sold in public auction in October 2016 for $18,400. That rifle was possibly used by the 1st Massachusetts Infantry but had no identification. This comparable property had similar condition but no history. Your rifle rates much higher with the documentation that it indeed was used in the field during the Civil War. Value would be in excess of the $18,400 realized in comparable market in 2016. I would place an auction presale estimate on this rifle of $20,000-30,000 and not be surprised if it brings more. Ira Lunt’s Service Summary • “D” Co., US Army 2nd Sharp

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Shooters Residence Oldtown ME; 33 years old. 9/2/1864 he transferred into “A” Co., 17th Maine Infantry On 9/13/1864 he mustered into “D” Co., US Volunteers 2nd Sharp Shooters He was transferred out on 2/1/1865

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On 2/1/1865 he transferred into the 17th Maine Infantry He was Mustered Out on 6/4/1865 at Washington, D.C.

John is an certified appraiser with International Society of Appraisers specializing in Civil War memorabilia. He authenticates and evaluates other rare and valuable historic items as well. His website is www.civilwardealer.com. He is coauthor of the book Confederate Bowie Knives (2012) by Jack Melton, Josh Phillips and John Sexton, that was published by Mowbray Publishing, Inc. Send “Ask The Appraiser” questions and photographs to [email protected]. Classic configuration of 19th century target rifle with back-action lock, double set triggers, heavy barrel, and rare long tubular scope. This design was becoming popular just before the Civil War and remained popular among competitive shooters well into the 20th century. Identified Civil War examples are quite rare.

This document was preserved with rifle in its original shipping box. Note the chain of command that was required to sign off until finally approved on November 7, 1864: Lt. Edgar Crockett, Acting Adjutant, 2nd US Sharpshooters Lt. Joseph Brown, Co. D, 2nd USSS General Regis de Trobriand, 1st brigade, 3rd Division, 2nd Army Corps Brig. General Gersham Mott, HDQ 3rd Division, 2nd AC General Regis de Trobriand’s Acting Adjutant General, HDQ, 1st Division, 3rd Brigade, 2nd AC

What is the difference between a heavy barreled scope long range target rifle and a sharpshooter rifle? Answer: “the target.” Very few of this genre of rifle can be positively identified as sharpshooter rifles. This example in exemplary “as found” condition is a Civil War treasure. This comparable rifle sold October 2016 in a Fairfield, Maine, Civil War auction for $18,400. Auction catalog description: Mounted with a Civil War 39 inch brass scope with small field of vision. Brass patchbox has Massachusetts state seal engraved, most likely when sold by Cyrus B. Holden, circa 1861 of Worcester, Mass. James & Ferris were known makers of fine heavy barrel match rifles and Civil War sharpshooters`s rifles with “telescope sights.” This gun is most interesting in that it most likely saw Civil War service in that the percussion nipple has been converted to a musket cone and contemporary replacement plain hammer has been made to strike it properly. There are photographs of soldiers armed with such weapons, including soldiers of the 1st Massachusetts Sharpshooters. There is an example of a very similar weapon on display at Gettysburg National Park Museum. The 1st Massachusetts Sharpshooters are among the few units of the Civil War that utilized heavy barreled guns, such as this one that weighs just over 15lbs. Most interesting is that the Massachusetts state seal is found on this gun, more closely tying this gun to that unit. The First Massachusetts had 39 casualties in the war, serving in almost every major battle of the Army of the Potomac during the war. An identical rifle is held by solider on the 1st Massachusetts Gettysburg monument where the unit was engaged near Devil’s Den. This is a fine example of a rarely offered Civil War sharpshooters rifle. CONDITION: Very good to fine overall. Sound and solid with good surfaces. Rear adjustable scope mount has detached right ear and replaced screw. Scope is missing front lens and cap, though still retaining the “lollipop” style aperture instead of crosshairs. The brass retains a smooth light mustard patina. The scope body also has a smooth copper/chocolate colored patina. The steel is overall gray with good edges and markings; stock is sound and well fit, retaining much of its original thinning varnish. Mechanically, gun functions well including adjustable trigger pull. Bore is clean with crisp rifling.