14 Facts About Hiram Berdan

Hiram Berdan was an American engineer, inventor, military officer, marksman, and guiding force behind and commanding colonel of the United States Volunteer Sharpshooter Regiments during the American Civil War.

Hiram Berdan was the inventor of the Berdan rifle, the Berdan centerfire primer and other weapons and accessories.

Hiram Berdan invented a repeating rifle and a patented musket ball before the war.

Hiram Berdan had developed the first commercial gold amalgamation machine to separate gold from ore.

Hiram Berdan's inventions had brought him wealth and international fame.

Hiram Berdan was named as Colonel of the resultant 1st and 2nd US Sharpshooters on November 30,1861.

Hiram Berdan fought at the Seven Days Battles and Second Battle of Bull Run.

Hiram Berdan commanded the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 3rd Corps, Army of the Potomac in February and March 1863, then he commanded the 3rd Brigade at the Battle of Chancellorsville.

Hiram Berdan resigned his commission on January 2,1864, and returned to his career as an engineer and inventor.

Hiram Berdan was considered by many to be a crack marksman and innovator, but unfit for field command.

Hiram Berdan subsequently invented numerous engines of war, including a twin-screw submarine gunboat, a torpedo boat for evading torpedo nets, a long-distance rangefinder and a distance fuse for shrapnel.

Hiram Berdan is an inventor of the Berdan rifle for the Russian army which is colloquially known in Russia as "berdanka".

Hiram Berdan died unexpectedly on March 31,1893, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

The part of Hiram Berdan was played by Kurtwood Smith in the 1986 ABC miniseries.