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Lot #1646
Hiram Berdan

Hiram Berdan

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Description

Hiram Berdan

Union general (1823–1893). A mechanical engineer in New York City when the war started, he had been the top rifle shot in the country for 15 years prior to the Civil War. Before the war he had invented a repeating rifle and a patented musket ball. Later he developed a twin screw submarine gunboat, a torpedo boat for evading torpedo nets, a long distance range finder and a distance fuze for shrapnel. He is very closely identified with the famous "Berdan's U.S. Sharpshooters," becoming their colonel in 1861. Wet plate, albumen 2.25 x 4 carte-de-visite photo. Standing view wearing kepi with hat wreath insignia, double breasted frock coat with shoulder straps and rank of full colonel, sash, gauntlets, and holding his sword. Backmark: E. Anthony, New York, made from a photographic negative in Brady's National Portrait Gallery. In fine condition, with light toning and some trivial soiling to the right edge. RRAuction COA.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title:
  • Dates: #384 - Ended March 22, 2012