CIVIL WAR question..Ballard .44 rimfire single shot

[kahnjar1]

Hi Jim,
I have refrained from posting here but I did wonder if your rifle was used for competition shooting because of the type of sights fitted.
Stu

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

Hi Jim,
I have refrained from posting here but I did wonder if your rifle was used for competition shooting because of the type of sights fitted.
Stu

Hi Stu,
Im glad you did come in! Im certainly no expert on guns, but I have gotten a few over the years just out of historic interest.

That is surely a good possibility, as these rifles were made by Ball & Williams in 1862-64, and if I understand, the production runs of those for prospective military issue were interspaced with civilian in the serial sequences. While the original order for 5000 for military was outrun by costs and other makers, Sharps in particular, and the run of 5000 fell far short.

While many of these are known to have gone to Kentucky, there may have been numbers to other private groups in the manner of militia, and these would not have had issue marks.

As they were in some degree intended for sharpshooters, the sights may have been intended or used for either. As I understand these were good 'sporters' and used even for buffalo hunt by large caliber. '

As I say, I dont know for sure, but I have thought competition shooting was typically smaller calibers.
I hope others with expertise in these matters might join in.

Thank you for the entry Stu, much appreciated and sorry I dont have a better answer.

Jim

[kahnjar1]

Hi Jim,
I assume by "sharpshooters" you mean "snipers". I did not think that way, but meant competition shooters, and large calibers were definitely used for this purpose. An example would be the Bisley shooting competitions in the UK.
Above someone has mentioned Flaydermans Guide to American Weapons. I did have copy of this once and found it most informative so if you can get hold of one it would be well worth your while. I do note that ABEBOOKS.COM have copies available quite cheaply.
Stu

[Jim McDougall]

That makes sense Stu, and good tip on the Flayderman book!
So then I could see why these might be used for competition.
Were sights used for competition different than those used in military or for hunting?

Jim