how to identify civil war rifles

The inventor of the gun was able to mass produce a cartridge that had a powerful powder charge. At the Battle of Gettysburg, the Union Army salvaged 24,000 rifles which were still loaded and found 18,000 of them had been loaded twice or more without being fired. Realistically, though, hitting anything beyond 500 yards was mostly a matter of luck. Identifying A Firearm | American Civil War Forum Mike, a NPS Ranger at Fort Pulaski in GA, demonstrates how to fire a Civil War style rifle, demonstrating the commands for e. When Confederate forces seized the manufacturing equipment from Harpers Ferry, they used it to continue production of the Model 1855 during the war. Check out This Historic Civil War P53 Enfield Rifle - YouTube The only breechloading rifle (not built as a carbine like the Burnside) firing a primed-metallic cartridge (a .50 cal. Most of the regular army was equipped with them in 1861, and the Confederates had a few thousand that had been stored in Southern arsenals. The guns effective range was listed at 200 yards which was fairly impressive for a long gun of the era. Griffith,P.(2001). Items connected to a man of Lincolns historic stature are largely kept in museums, while his autographs, letters, and other historic documents are among the most collected in the world. (2001). "J.B.L." is visible along with a date "Apr 29 1865" right below the initials. Given that these rifles were infrequently used in the war, it's unlikely to find these rifles at auction. Back in May of 2017, we sold a Spencer 1865 carbine for $9,775. Engagements, however, generally happened at much closer range, making the 1861 all the more deadly. Although the Colt was excellent in combat, it had a major design flaw. Here we present an antique Enfield Pattern 1853 Rifle-Musket, made in 1862 in England. How to Identify Revolutionary War Musket Balls - Synonym When it comes to fierce battles, rich history, and a wealth of innovative weapons, its hard to match the Civil War era. Serendipitously, Sir Whitworth found another market for his rifle at the outset of the American Civil War the Confederates. His goal was to build a replacement for the Pattern 1853. These differences made it easy to operate from horseback with accuracy, and this accuracy is what inspired the English term, "sharpshooter." (2017). Understanding these is critical to interpreting official reports from the battles, and getting a sense for what soldiers in the Civil War faced when they were in combat. Like with all historical firearms, the prices can vary throughout the years on certain models and type of arms with condition and provenance playing a role on cost. Theres little wonder that, Hugh Lowther, the fifth Earl of Lonsdale, squandered a massive fortune through his generosity and out-sized reputation as a womanizer, horseman, Sooner or later, everything old is new again, author Stephen King wrote in his 2005 crime thriller, The Colorado Kid. This sentiment certainly. In the early 1850s, Burnside resigned his military commission to work exclusively on his breech-loading carbine design. CAT. John Russell is a Civil War Historian and Collector who brought a historic Enfield rifle to show off at a Texas Independence Day Party in late February. The .54-caliber turned out to be a boon for the Union cavalry, giving them a quick-to-reload firearm, built to withstand the trials of battle. Those familiar with twentieth-century records often assume that official records of some kind will enable the possessor of a particular Colt percussion Army Model 1860 revolver (for . Interestingly enough, Colt Manufacturing sent around 2,200 Model 1860 Colts to the South on contract early in the war. The South didnt have the manufacturing ability to produce the guns they needed, so they contracted 5,000 to be produced overseas. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. The standard weapon of the British Army between 1853 and 1867, like the Springfield the Enfield was a single-shot, muzzleloading rifle musket. 2002-2023 LoveToKnow Media. A family tintype of an ancestor holding the weapon in their uniform can give you some context as to whether the firearm was active during the 1860s, or is just a family heirloom. The Confederacy, having a very limited ability to produce weapons, bought over 2,000 Brunswick rifles for delivery to their troops. After initial testing in the fall of 1862, the Union ordered 100,000 of these bullets and issued them to units in the field (such as the 2nd New Hampshire), although by the end of the war 75,000 rounds were still in storage. Most of the rifles during that time were loaded with a small lead musket ball or with a minnie ball (or Mini ball) and black powder. With seven rounds of .56-56 Spencer rimfire on tap, the rifle delivered overwhelming firepower for the time. Yes Sir, I unloaded one just the other day. Many unique Civil War revolvers and rifles can be found at Rock Island Auction Company. We authenticate and appraise Antique Civil War Guns. Like the musket, the projectile was smaller than the bore, allowing for fast loading, even when the arm was fouled with black-powder residue. The percussion musket used .58 caliber Minie balls for ammunition which provided additional range and accuracy for soldiers using the gun. Learn how your comment data is processed. In comparison to the Springfield's three rounds per minute, the Henry rifle could fire 28 rounds per minute. Box 160 Llano, Texas 78643 If you have a specific identification question, please see our Identification Request Page. Some Confederates got a hold of Henry rifles too, but faced the same problem they did when they captured a Sharps or a Spencer ammunition. The old gal looks rode hard and put away wet. The balance is believed to have been altered by Henry Leman, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania using a patent breech like the ones used on his alterations of US M1816 muskets and M1803, M1814, and M1817 common rifles. On this Day in the Life, I describe some of the observations necessary to identify Civil War bullets. United States:University Press of Kansas. The carbine was the first ever produced to use metallic cartridges (not to be confused with the first self-contained metallic cartridge) and was very popular with its shooters. The bored out versions were not consistent in caliber, ranging from .57 to .59. The revolver was in in good condition retaining gray and brown patina and had character with a few dents and scratches. p. 249-250, Hess,E.J. [18], The third-most widely used rifle of the Civil War, and the most prolific of "second-class" weapons, was the Lorenz Rifle. If a soldier needed a firearm that had versatility and good repeating capability, it doesnt get much handier than this grapeshot revolver combo. Advances in firearms technology were quickly progressing in the mid-1800s making for some seriously well designed and powerful arms development during the Civil War. Civil War Handgun professionals specializing in appraisals of antique revolvers and pistols used by Union and Confederate forces during and before the Civil War. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The highest selling Colt Model 1860 revolver in May was a Confederate shipped fluted cylinder model and sold for $12,650. Again, thanks for taking time to provide us your feedback, it is much appreciated! In Civil War battles, infantry typically fought in a widely-spread out line, with the men using trees, rocks, buildings, etc. A large variety of weapons were used during the Civil War, with rifles being the primary firearm soldiers employed during fighting. Battle Tactics of the Civil War. "Civil War Firearms: Their Historical Background and Tactical Use" By Joseph G. Bilby, Articles incorporating text from Wikipedia, United States armory at Springfield, Massachusetts, 1866 Springfield "Trapdoor" infantry rifle, http://www.nps.gov/archive/gett/soldierlife/webguns.htm, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, It has been suggested that this article be merged into. [17] Stockpiles of rifles and handguns carried by individual soldiers were limited. The Civil War rifle became so popular that the Confederate forces copied the design and started producing their own versions of Sharps carbines. In a conflict dominated by muzzleloaders and single-shot rifles, the Spencer Repeating Rifle had to have seemed like a godsend. Many smooth bore muskets dating all the way back to the Springfield Model 1812 were brought out of storage for similar reasons. Her ancestors fought for both sides, however, the gun in question arrived to us through her late father who grew up in rural Mississippi (born 1940s) and moved to North Carolina in the 1970s. Were really interested to find out what it is and maybe gleen some additional history that might be associated with her family. Despite these improvements, the Springfields rate of fire was similar to a muskets, around three aimed shots per minute. The rifling also improved precision over traditional musket. This was not Britains first go-around with a rifle bound to shoot Mini-style projectiles. Because of this, soldiers were frequently outfitted with firearms that were made decades before the fight even started. The accuracy of the Whitworth was often exaggerated, but it was capable of hitting a man sized target beyond 1,000 yards. It had a rifled barrel, and fired the .58 caliber Mini ball. Civil War political cartoon, Civil War Memorabilia: Everything You Need to Know, American history buffs' gateway into antique collecting often comes first through acquiring Civil War memorabilia. The differences between the Model 1860 Army and the Model 1851 Navy were the Army has bigger grips and a rounder look, and a more powerful caliber as compared to .36 caliber and smaller boxier design of the Navy. Known for its quality, accuracy, and reliability, the Enfield is one of the most sought after Civil War rifles today. This page is not available in other languages. Most of the rifles during that time were loaded with a small lead musket ball or with a minnie ball (or Mini ball) and black powder. This musket has been identified as one having been purchased by the Confederacy due to chronic arms shortages throughout the conflict. Save my name and email to use for future comments. This outstanding "finest known" U.S. Army Colt Model 1851 Navy revolver is rated in excellent plus, as issued condition, about as near to mint as possible for a military contract revolver from more than a century and a half ago. This rifle was manufactured for the Union army. Another had identified it as Austrian: Muster 1842 k.k. These old and obsolete weapons were replaced by newer weapons as they became available. The Civil War gun was a breech loading falling block in .52 caliber and proved to have excellent accuracy and rapid-fire ability. Reference materials are a must-have for any person interested in Civil War firearms or antique firearm collecting in general. The gun is 50 long and 36 from the business end to trigger. 8. In addition, most existing military doctrine was based around the smoothbore musket. Civil War Hats: Different Types and Where to Find Them, From reenactments to museums, you can find beautifully preserved artifacts detailing the daily lives of Americans during the Civil War. Soon, 14 Revolutionary War soldiers will finally rest in peace Jason, welcome to The Firearms Forum. rimfire) made by the Federal Government (at Springfield Armory) and actually designed for issue to infantrymen was the Model 1865 Springfield Joslyn Rifle, of which only 3,007 were made. JavaScript is disabled. Outdoor Hub, LLC (d/b/a Carbon Media Group), 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. The 7 Most Sought-After Civil War Guns - Rock Island Auction Company The power of a Henry Rifle was comparable in power to military pistols, but that was not enough to be used as a shoulder fired rifle for the military. Disease in an era before antibiotics was the main culprit to these horrendous figures, more than 2 percent of the countrys population then. The range and accuracy were big selling points, as well as its .44 caliber which provided excellent stopping power. Its external tubular magazine could get fouled or damaged, which was trouble for a weapon thats advantage was rate of fire. However, the Sharps carbine was very common, with over 90,000 produced. While perhaps not as fast between shots as other repeaters that made their appearance in the Civil War it had to be manually cocked the Spencer was perhaps the most reliable. Serial numbers are a way to pin down an exact date for antique weapons, so long as their manufacturer's historic records are publicly available. Rifles in the American Civil War | Military Wiki | Fandom The first Model 1861 Springfields were delivered late in that year and during 1862 gradually became the most common weapon carried by Union infantry in the eastern theater. Unknown No More: Identifying A Civil War Soldier : NPR To reflect this longer range, the Springfield was fitted with two flip up sights, one set for 300 yards (270m) and the other for 500. Click here for more information. After experimenting with the failed Maynard primer system on the Model 1855 musket, the Model 1861 reverted to the more reliable percussion lock. Good thing, too, because battlefield surgeons already had their hands more than full at the pace soldiers were being wounded and killed by the Model 1861. This is a pretty accurate depiction on what owning the Civil War gun Springfield Model 1861 would run you in the current day prices. The North was thus able to supply its own small arms needs while the South had to continue to rely on foreign sources, eventually purchasing 580,000 rifles.[1]. Suspected it was loaded. Sharps rifles of the Civil War era tend to be unique and more sought after Civil War rifle finds. Later Fremont would testify that the primers were not included; they had exploded in shipment. There were only around 4,000 fluted cylinder Colts of this design produced, so that combined with its Confederate rarity boosted its price tag. This was one of the best examples of a Model 1851 revolver to pass through RIAC. Countless firearm experts have lent their own perspective to the subject, and a few contemporary books to check out are: Rifles from the Civil War are important pieces of history, and as such, they can command top prices from avid collectors, military enthusiasts, and Civil War fanatics. Thus, there's a small chance that non-standard weapons could've been used in combat or were at least manufactured during the 1860s. Sharps were the most highly desirable Civil War rifles and carbines for sharpshooters. With an effective range of 600 paces, troops could fire three rounds per minute with an accuracy of up to 500 yards. Though, its strange conical-shaped cartridge could occasionally get stuck in the breech after firing. p. 401, SUMMARY STATEMENT of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores on hand in the Cavalry Regiments in the Service of the United States during the Second quarter ending June 30, 1864, p. 88, List of weapons in the American Civil War, "Richmond Armory Model 1855 (Richmond Rifle)", "Harpers Ferry Model 1841 (Mississippi Rifle)", "Brunswick Rifle - Confederate Purchased", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rifles_in_the_American_Civil_War&oldid=1151695102, Ballard's rifled. 3. The side with the best production plants and firepower was ultimately more likely to win the war. However, there're a few ways that you can investigate your own family's old rifles to see if you might have one that could've been used in combat during the American Civil War. Look at This Historic Enfield Rifle from the Civil War Springfield, Sharp, Henry, Spencer and the Austrian Lorentz. Can you identify this Civil War Bayonet?? - U.S. Militaria Forum 1860. A forum community dedicated to all firearm owners and enthusiasts. The most widely accepted figure estimates 620,000 men lost their lives in the four years of war. Despite the limited quantities that were made during the war, the gun went on to be a massive success in the post-war period, becoming the Winchester model 1866 and launching the Winchester name. Christian Sharps falling-block still stirs the hearts of marksmen today. Gun - Musket - 1861 Springfield. That is, if you consider a gun designed to fire hexagonal bullets a bit odd. These rifles were also equipped with a bayonet, and have the stereotypical silhouette associated with Civil War reenactments and big-budget Hollywood productions. Forum, DDC42030-F585-4F92-B823-49A679E01E19.jpeg, 3ABEA3B2-F434-4B20-8432-553099FB0982.jpeg, 3A863C0B-4D25-41C2-BE49-FD017E05A9F8.jpeg, 376D9B33-1DE3-4CE3-AC10-E032DD55FB5D.jpeg, 61689209-F215-4F7E-896C-D39323C89621.jpeg. We would take the wadding apart and lay it flat and turn it into something like a jigsaw puzzle. The lever action gun could fire off 20 rounds a minute on average making it ten times faster than the traditional muzzleloaders of the time. By Katharine Houreld. When it became obvious that the southern states wouldn't win the war, the British government refused to sell any more rifles to the Confederacy, and they were forced to turn to gun runners and private sources for their stores. Nonetheless, Hardee's book was produced in a huge variety of editions during the war, often for different types of infantry. Muzzle velocity reached 950 feet per second. If . A Colt Model 1860 Army revolver, shipped to New Orleans on April 9, 1861, only three days before the Confederates attacked Fort Sumter. The ignition source was a folded rim on the inside of the gun. The Spencer carbine, on the other hand, was widely utilized, with around 90,000 being produced for the war effort. The first such weapon adopted by the US Army was the Model 1855 Colt Revolving Rifle (and a companion carbine), but it had a serious defect in that the gun would often discharge several chambers at once, the extra rounds flying straight into the hand that was holding the barrel up. USA.gov, The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration The tubular magazine in the buttstock was quick on the reload too, particularly with the aid of a Blakeslee cartridge tube, which made its appearance later in the war. By entering this site you declare Typical appearing 1840's to 1860's/early 1870's double barrel muzzleloading shotgun. But there were relatively few that did. You have entered an incorrect email address! The purchase was agreed to by none other than General John Fremont (who is infamous for another shady firearms deal). [13][14] Cost was also an issue: in an era where a soldier earned $10-13 a month and a rifled musket might cost $10-20 to manufacture, a repeating rifle might cost $37-65 to manufacture. Some southern cavalry and guerrillas used shotguns but their barrels were cut off short. In April of 2018, a desirable Sharps Model 1853 slant breech percussion carbine sold for $12,650 at auction. The long gun eventually was approved for battle later in the war and made its first official appearance in the Battle of Gettysburg. PLEASE READ BEFORE COMMENTING! Similar in design to the Enfield rifle, early Lorenz rifles were considered superb weapons right out of the factory, but they had a .54 caliber bore which could not accept the same bullets as the Springfield and Enfield. Beauregard, a Confederate Civil War general, the Le Mat was created in 1856 before the outbreak of the war. Thank you for the quick and enlightening responses. April 28, 2023 at 6:36 a.m. EDT. The rare Confederate Le Mat revolver is another highly desirable Civil War gun. Allen & Wheelock Drop Breech. These rifles were used by both the United States of America ("Union") and the Confederate States of America. Visit the Civil War Arms Index. During the Civil War, Robert E. Lee was equipped with an 1851 Navy and the revolver model was the most prominently used by Confederate forces. Henry Rifle. The Enfield had a stepped flip up sight, which was adjustable from 100900 yards (91823m) (1,200 yards (1,100m) in later models) in 100 yard increments. You might also find these guns with long metal ramrods that were used to insert the ammunition into the barrel. These rifled muskets have an iconic look that makes them pretty easy to identify based on their silhouette. Civil War Rifles & Civil War Muskets for Sale | Collectors Firearms I say that because of the blow out plugs which one normally doesn't see on lower grade guns. [20][25] Later in the war, even factory-direct Lorenz rifles tended to be of poor craftsmanship. United States:Dover Publications. Some shotguns were used in the very beginning, mostly by southern troops but were discarded after the first battle or two when better weapons were acquired from the dead. Firearms - History The Civil War witnessed a technological revolution in weaponry. United Kingdom:Yale University Press. This is a good price for a scarce and desirable gun. Model 1855 rifles were fairly common. Thus, the short-lived Burnside rifle didn't become a major winner with soldiers during the war. Whether the Civil War gun youre in the market for is a rifle, carbine, or revolver, you hopefully now know a little more about which ones to purchase for your taste and budget.

Ano Ang Civil Society Organization, Hollybrook Apartments Marion Ohio, Nubis Caesar Constellation, St Johns County Death, Waffle House Font Generator, Articles H