2nd U.S. ‘Berdan’ Sharpshooter

We tend to forget that many of our modern military standards got their start decades, even hundreds of years ago.

Take snipers for instant.  Snipers are masters of camouflage and infiltration.  They are equipped with the latest and greatest military advanced weapons and accessories.

What if I told you that much of what we associate with modern day military special ops actually got their start in the Civil War and earlier?

For example: Sideshow Collectibles has recreated a 2nd U.S. ‘Berdan’ Sharpshooter in perfect 1/6th scale.

The 12-inch figure comes attired in dark green that lends itself to blend in with many environments.

The figure comes with a huge cache of weapons and equipment.  Here’s the list:

Forage Cap, M1858 Green Frock Coat
Green Federal Pattern Trousers
Brogans
Leather Waist Belt with Federal Issue US Belt Plate
M1855 Bayonet Scabbard
M1859 Sharps Sprocket Bayonet
M1855 Cap Pouch
M1855 Cartridge Box with Sling
M1858 Canteen
M1851 Haversack
Federal Issue Cup
Prussian Pattern Knapsack with Blanket Roll
M1859 Sharps Rifle with Double Set Triggers

More details to come on these accessories later.

It’s a real pity that Sideshow stopped making military figures.  They did excellent work on the figures they did produced-the Sharpshooter being an excellent example.

The original designed head sculpt is well done with well-defined features, nice skin coloration in various shades and excellent finishes on the eyes and other features.

The figure is fully articulated and stands and poses without the use of a stand or support.

Dressed in its green uniform the figure fits easily in the clothing with no binding or unruly or unrealistic folds and wrinkles.

The Frock Coat fits perfectly over the figure.  A row of black buttons run partway down its front and the coat has a high collar and folded up cuffs with decoration stripes.

The loose-fitting pants end just at the top of the figure’s black boots.

The figure also wears a black belt with a US insignia buckle with a Bayonet Scabbard attached to the belt along with a Cartridge Box with Sling.

All are in scale, easily attach and remove from the figure and look completely authentic.

Accessories are period correct and are in perfect scale to the figure.  The figure’s hands are propositioned to hold each object(s).

The Forage Cap is plastic and fits snuggly on the figure’s head.
The M1859 Sharps Sprocket Bayonet is set in the Scabbard at the figure’s waist and slides easily in and out of the scabbard and attaches to the Rifle’s mussel.
The M1855 Cap Pouch is black simulated leather with a single snap in the front.
The M1855 Cartridge Box with Sling hangs around the figure's left shoulder and lies on the figure’s right hip.
The M1858 Canteen is cloth covered with a swivel cap.
The M1851 Haversack looks like loose and soft black leather with a single tie in the front.

The Federal Issue Cup looks like well-worn tin with a handle.
The Prussian Pattern Knapsack with Blanket Roll consists of brown and light brown leather (simulated) and has a real cloth-sleeping blanket rolled up and secured with two brown straps attached to the top of the Knapsack.

The M1859 Sharps Rifle with Double Set Triggers is the most impressive of the equipment.  Approximately four-foot long (in scale) the single barrel rifle has three metal straps securing the barrel to the stock.  

 The single flintlock sits atop the firing mechanism that includes the triggers with elongated guar-all in black.  

The butt of the gun is capped with black metal and twin loops hangs from the stock butt and midway down the barrel stock which a shoulder strap can be attached to.

It’s an impressive collection of accessories all historically accurate, extremely detailed and well crafted, colored and assembled.

The entire entourage of the figure and accessories make for an impressive, period, military piece that Civil War buffs and historians are sure to love.