Description

A very rare piece. Consists of a silver bar with typical 1850-1860s T-bar back pin and a wire rod attached to hold the ribbon. The front of the bar reads “DISTINGUISHED SHARPSHOOTER” in a well know wartime font. The back of the bar is marked with maker mark of Childs of Chicago. Research shows this was an early engraving company established in the 1850s with significant wartime business production in military and fraternal badges, etc. The ribbon is 1 1/2″ wide blue silk with an applied white diamond held on by a silvered number “3”. The number has brass attaching loops on the back which are pushed through the white diamond and the blue ribbon and bent in to hold it on. There is nice patina to the metal pieces and some minor soiling, along with some typical wear and fraying to the edges of the ribbon. Ribbon is otherwise sound. The white diamond would indicate 2nd Division, 3rd Army Corps. This is Hooker’s famed Division, then with Sickles/Humphrey, etc. They were heavily enaged with honorable service throughout Virginia, then Gettysburg, etc. When the 3rd Corps was dissolved in 1864 the men of the Corps were allowed to continue the use of there old diamond insignia as they moved several more times during the war. There is certainly documentation of marksmanship competition throughout the Army during the war at all levels from the company on up. The Army officially began to hold competitions and recognize marksmanship in 1858. Commercially and privately produced awards from company, regimental, other HQ funds and states such as medals/badges are documented but are rare indeed prior to the adoption of more “official”  recognition in the 1870s. I happened on this piece in a junk/antique shop in Illinois about twenty years ago. It was in a folded old unmarked envelope with a bunch of stuff in a cigar box. Included in the box were several CW general service buttons, a New York kepi button and a GAR lapel button, watch chain, etc., but no identification. An extremely rare opportunity.