A Berdan Sharps rifle from the US civil war has sold for $30,000 at Heritage Auctions.
It was the top lot of an auction of American civil war and militaria in Dallas on December 12.
 Marksman colonel Hiram S Berdan designed the rifle for his Sharpshooter regiments |
Union colonel Hiram S Berdan was a renowned marksman and founder of the 1st and 2nd United States Sharpshooter Regiments.
He designed the M1859 Sharps Rifle in 1862 to outfit his regiments. It features a number of innovations designed to improve its lethal accuracy over long distances.
Only 2,000 were produced, making them exceptionally rare today.
This particular rifle was issued to William J Domag, who was killed at the Battle of the Wilderness in Virginia in May 1864.
A guidon flag carried by Union cavalry during the Battle of Appomattox Court House in April 1865 made $26,250.
It's accompanied by a letter of provenance that reads: "This guidon of a company of the 5th U. S. Cavalry was at Appomattox during the Surrender 9 April, 1865.
"Captain Julius W. Mason commanded the 5th Cavalry as H. Q. Escort to General Grant. After the war, Mason gave this guidon to Col. Rob't Orr of the 61 Pennsylvania Vols., who in turn gave it to Reginald Hart, a famous military collector C. 1890."
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