A rare, 40-caliber Civil War sharpshooter rifle was the ancestral connection recently for Lakewood resident Scott Sawyer and his great-grandfather, Martin VanBuren Sawyer.

Scott Sawyer and Steve Johnson, living history portrayer and Fenton Historical Center trustee, recently traveled to the home of a gun collector in Little Valley who gave them a glimpse into the past with two 40-caliber Civil War rifles.

While Johnson is a full-time re-enactor, he wanted to see the rare firearm for himself. For Sawyer, seeing the rifle provided a meaningful connection to his great-grandfather, Martin, and Martin’s two brothers, Edward and Simon.

“It was a joint venture on both our parts,” Scott Sawyer said of the trip to Cattaraugus County. “Johnson is very dedicated to authenticity and wanted see this rifle for himself. For me, it was a connection to my great-grandfather. Through this gun collector’s generosity and invitation, we were able to have a firsthand account of the 40-caliber rifle.”

While Swanson is familiar with the typical Civil War rifle, he and Sawyer had never held a 40-caliber rifle. Due to rifle’s heavy barrelling, which was for trajectory stabilization, the 40-caliber weighed in excess of 25 pounds, making it difficult for both men to hold without a gun rest.

“It was a unique experience for us and very enlightening to be there,” Sawyer said.

Martin, Edward and Simon VanBuren Sawyer were all sharpshooters in the Union Army. They were raised in Bolivar, Allegany County, and enlisted in the summer of 1861, serving in the Army of the Potomac and commanded by General Phillip Sheridan. They were infantry in Company “C” 67th N.Y. and 85th New York volunteers.

A few months later Jamestown’s own volunteer regiment like the 112th and 72nd, part of the New York’s Excelsior Brigade was formed. Jamestown’s recruits, as well as those from other surrounding counties, were trained at Camp Brown the current site of Fletcher Elementary School.

The Sawyer trio served three years. They saw action in notable battles such as Antietam, Shilo, Bull Run and Wilderness. All three were wounded in battle. Of the 105 volunteers of Company C, only 30 returned.

“For three brothers to survive the war was unusual. It was very fortunate for their families and imperative for mine,” said Scott Sawyer.

Their civil war services was chronicled in the Aug. 24, 1899, Bolivar Breeze and also in the Buffalo Sunday Courier.

It was reported that from 1863, the Sawyer brothers were detailed for special work as sharpshooters. They were armed with the best rifles that could be purchased 40-caliber rifles that were fitted with telescopic sights and used a peaked ball. The government furnished the best powder.

“When we drew a bead on a man, he was a dead one,” said one of the brothers. “I doubt if we ever missed a man we fired at within a range of one mile.”

From Williamsburg to Appomattox, they fought and followed the fortunes of the Army of the Potomac. They brought their rifles home with them but were so tired of gunning that they gave them away.