"28mm Berdan Sharpshooters" Topic

other than Old Glory is there a maker?

Have you tried Dixon or Redoubt?

Sash and Saber make some nice federal infantry skirmishing (3 codes, plus command) which would make some lovely Berdan's models depending upon what time period you are looking for.

Redoubt have a superb set in their ACW "specials" – lovely models.

link

Berdans with the frock coats, leather leggings, cow hide knapsacks and the Sharps Rifles are pretty distinctive. The Redoubt minis look very good, indeed.

The ones that I always like were the Connoisseur line of Berdan Sharpshooters. I thought they were some of the better sculpts in Gilder's ACW line. Other than that, I would go with the Old Glory ones or use, as suggested above some of the Sash and Saber Federal Infantry skirmishing.

Foundry also has a nice set of Berdans Sharpshooter

I'm abit of a Dixon fan

trouble is I do a lot of converting of figures so most of my figures are not stock minis. They paint up nicely and you can order single codes rather than buying them in packs.

The problem with using someone's skirmisher figures is that the uniform and the rifle will be wrong. I have the Redoubt pack, all the figures have packs and that can be a small problem. Also a couple of my figures look like they are armed with Sharps carbines instead of rifles.

Steve Barber has some Sharpshooters as well, while I don't have any yet the photos I've seen look nice.

I agree with Miniatureships. The Berdan's from Connisseur were probably their best figures. Some of you may not know that by the time of Gettysburg, the Sharpshooters put their green frock coats in storage and just wore the standard blue sack coat. They may have retained their green caps and pants, but did away with the leggings too!

Another vote for the Connoisseur Berdans. Very nice figures.

Not all of Berdan's were carrying Sharps, and, as FireZouave says, by Gettysburg, not a one of them outside of, perhaps, officers, was wearing the whole green uniform. In fact, a lot had used up their original hairy packs and had them replaced with standard army issue.

I've posted this before, but I think it deserves repeating here. The US Army QM was perfectly willing to issue/provide for specialty uniforms like Berdans, as well as the equipment, leggings, etc. However, there was a catch. The unit had to send a sample of exactly what is was they wanted, and then were billed for any costs above that of a standard issue item. For example, if the green wool used for the trousers drove the costs higher than issue Saxon blue, then the man was charged the difference. PLUS, the clothing couldn't exceed the allowance either, or the full amount for the excess was charged to his account.

On campaign, when these irregular items wore out or were damaged/lost in action, etc, the men needed the replacement(s) NOW and so would draw from existing items in the QM train which accompanied the army. Thus you get the progressively more motley appearance on campaign of Berdan, Zouave, etc units.

V/R

1st have Berdans availble here auction or here link

I didn't know about the uniforms although it makes sense. Given their tactic I think that it would have made sense for them to hold onto their leggings though. The leggings almost turned their shoes into boots. On checking "Regimental Strengths and Losses at Gettysburg" 4th edition though at least by Gettysburg it shows the Sharpshooter Regiments as armed with Sharps Rifles. While far from an expert on the USSS I believe that when first raised they had Springfields but they were fairly quickly re-armed with the Sharps.