1/6th Plate Tintype of Union Sharpshooter with Target Rifle

1/6th Plate Tintype of Union Sharpshooter with Target Rifle
 
An impressive 1/6th plate tintype depicting a Union sharpshooter standing at full length with his target rifle. This striking image captures one of the elite marksmen of the Federal army—soldiers specially selected for their exceptional accuracy and skill.
 
During the Civil War, target rifles were precision long-range weapons employed by sharpshooters for specialized missions such as engaging enemy officers, artillery crews, and pickets at extended distances. These rifles were often custom-made or modified for superior accuracy, featuring heavy barrels, fine sights, and specialized ammunition.
 
Notably, the image exhibits a subtle blue-green tinting, characteristic of early tintype hand-coloring and often associated with the distinctive uniforms of Berdan’s Sharpshooters, the famed Union sharpshooter regiments.
 
This fine tintype offers a rare and evocative portrayal of a Federal marksman equipped with one of the most advanced and specialized firearms of the Civil War era—a vivid reminder of the emerging importance of precision and marksmanship in mid-19th century warfare.