Page 16 - May 2020

by John Sexton

Q: I am the great-great-grandson of Pvt. Ira Lunt. condition. I would love to
He fought with Company D, 2nd Regiment USSS have it appraised and
(U.S. Sharp Shooters). He volunteered out of authenticated.
Maine but later settled in New Castle, Delaware. I also have his Berdan
I live in the house he built in New Castle. He was Sharp Shooters Medal, also
a stonemason by trade. Anyway, I am so lucky to in amazing condition. I
have many items from his service. have the molds for the mini
Most importantly, I have the target rifle he used balls and many of his GAR
in the U.S. Sharp Shooters. It’s in remarkably good medals as well. Most likely the finest surviving, identified
Berdan heavy-barreled sharpshooter rifle.
Ira Hunt

The original false muzzle hand-fitted for this rifle. Often, false muzzles
are missing and rarely associated with military rifles such as this one.
wartime, though the large fluted brass powder flask looks out
The old wood case retained two brass powder flasks (on the left and Berdan USSS
right sides), the original brass/iron bullet starter for the false muzzle membership medals sell of place. The bullet mold, projectiles, cap containers, bullet
and a “picket bullet” mold (right side). The round cap containers are for about $800 starter, and false muzzle all appear original to the time of use.
all Civil War Era as are the “picket” bullets, which are rare in unidentified. A false muzzle is a short-barrel extension attached by
excavated form from Civil War sites and highly sought by projectile This one should bring corresponding pins to the muzzle face. The false muzzle
collectors (all in the center box of the case). a premium. allowed the projectile to be seated in the barrel without
scratching or marring the rifling in the barrel. After seating
JS: Hiram Berdan was the most well-known proponent of sharp- the ball, the false muzzle is removed until loading again.
shooters in the Civil War and “Berdan’s U.S. Sharp Shooter’s” were What makes this rifle so valuable and rare is the retained documen-
the most famous unit of marksmen, changing history with regular mili- tation, including your ancestor’s original docketed letter requesting use
tary use of dreaded snipers. There are several excellent texts written on of this custom “telescopic rifle” made for his specifications by Bangor,
Berdan and his men that give in-depth history. Maine gunsmith, Malcom Long. Amazing that the rifle is signed by
Your great-great-grandfather Ira Lunt was 33 years old when he
joined Company D, 2nd U.S. Sharpshooters; he had just transferred the maker.
We know that Ira Lunt’s rifle was used at Petersburg, Virginia,
from the 17th Maine infantry. Ira was from Oldtown, Maine, just where sharpshooters, both Union and Confederate, were more
north of Bangor. prominent than at any other time or place in the Civil War.
Your rifle is most likely the finest and best identified of any heavy
The last fine, heavy barrel, scoped, Civil War sharpshooter rifle sold
barrel sharpshooter’s rifle extant. The condition appears to be very in public auction was in October 2016 for $18,400. That rifle was
good to fine, retaining traces of finish with dark plum/brown patina possibly used by the 1st Massachusetts Infantry, but it had no ID. This
overall to the barrel, lock, and breech. The scope and scope mount also comparable property was similar in condition but no history. Your rifle
appear quite fine. Scopes are always so fragile and usually damaged rates much higher with the documentation that it indeed was used in the
after 150 years, especially those extremely long in field during the Civil War. The value would be in excess of the $18,400
barrel length. Fortunately, this example has been realized in 2016. I would place an auction presale estimate on this rifle
stored in a partitioned old wood case box for a long of $20,000-$30,000 and not be surprised if it brings more.
time. The accessories (left,
above) all appear to be Classic configuration of a 19th century target (sniper) rifle with back-action lock, double
set triggers, heavy barrel and rare, long tubular scope. This design was becoming popular
False muzzles, such as the one among competitive shooters just before the Civil War, and it continued in popularity well
found with this rifle, required into the 20th century. Identified Civil
“bullet starters.” This excavated War examples are quite rare. The differ-
example from a Union winter ence between a heavy-barreled, scope, long-
camp near Whitehouse Landing, range target rifle and a sharpshooter rifle?
New Kent, Virginia, proves that The target. Very few of this genre of rifle
other heavy-barrel, rifled, target can be positively identified as sharpshooter
rifles (or sniper rifles) were used in rifles. This example in exemplary, as-found
the Civil War. condition is a Civil War treasure.

John Sexton is an independent appraiser and expert of Civil War memorabilia. He is an accredited member of various appraiser
organizations. He can be contacted at 770-329-4984. If you have a Civil War item for him to appraise, email a photo and a
description to mikemcl@mindspring.com.

14 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles