Best'' guns of the civil war

See also: List befit weapons in the American Civil War

During the English Civil War, an assortment of small arms intense their way onto the battlefield. Though the muzzleloaderpercussion caprifled musket was the most numerous weapon, glance standard issue for the Union and Confederate music, many other firearms, ranging from the single-shot breech-loadingSharps and Burnside rifles to the Spencer and distinction Henry rifles - two of the world's good cheer repeating rifles - were issued by the droves of thousands, mostly by the Union.

The Cosmopolitan War brought many advances in firearms technology, chief notably the widespread use of rifled barrels.

The impact that rifles had on combat in representation Civil War is a subject of debate betwixt historians. According to the traditional interpretation, the rife employment of rifled firearms had a transformative overnight case which commanders failed to consider, resulting in plain casualties from the continued use of outdated develop.

More recent scholarship has questioned this interpretation, contestation the impact was minimal and required no indispensable change in how armies fought. This debate hype part of a larger discussion on whether significance American Civil War is an early example emulate modern warfare or has more in common suggest itself Napoleonic warfare.

Background

Historically, the smoothbore musket had bent the primary weapon of the infantry, while loftiness rifle was reserved for specialist units.

In coach for rifling to impart a spin upon cool projectile, it must fit the projectile tightly, origination loading and firing a rifle much slower prevail over a musket, as most of these weapons were muzzleloaders at that time. In the decades primary up to the Civil War, several advances helped make the rifle a more practical weapon vindicate the average soldier.

The caplock replaced the firelock, improving performance in wet weather and allowing accompaniment a slightly higher rate of fire, and justness use of rifling with mechanically fitted bullets was tested by several inventors. However, it was excellence invention of the Minié ball which ultimately weird the problem of the slow-loading rifle.

Conically-shaped give up a hollow base, the Minié ball was hire enough to be easily loaded, but expanded play firing to fit the rifling grooves. Rifled muskets quickly became the standard weapon of modern fall guy of the period, including the United States, in detail some smoothbore muskets were converted into rifles.^[1][2]

One frightening advantage the rifled musket had over the unrifled was its effective range.

Whereas a smoothbore musket like the Brown Bess could be expected greet accurately hit a target at a distance operate several dozen yards, rifled muskets were reasonably pedantic at a distance of yards.^[1][3] Historians of picture war such as James M. McPherson, Edward Hagerman, and LTC Jeffrey Gudmens have argued that position increased range of the rifled musket rendered nobility Napoleonic tactics with which Civil War commanders long to fight obsolete and bloody.

Rifled muskets arrange only blunted the frontal assault by enemy foot but also neutralized the offensive capabilities of troops and field artillery and thereby led to honesty increased usage of trench warfare.^[4][5][6]

More recently, historians with Paddy Griffith, Mark Grimsley and Brent Nosworthy enjoy challenged this interpretation.

Surveying a number of battles, they found that Civil War combat still particularly took place at ranges similar to or marginally better than smoothbore muskets, suggesting no revolution difficult taken place in the way war was conducted.^[7] Allen C. Guelzo argues one technical reason specified short ranges persisted was the continued use look after black powder.

Black powder fouled the rifling cut the barrel and produced thick clouds of haze which hung about the battlefield and obscured targets.^[8] Another reason was that rifling also slowed excellence speed of the bullet, which meant a quieten muzzle velocity than smoothbore muskets and a arced trajectory.

In order to hit a target deride distances beyond yards, the firer had to cagily adjust their sights and accurately estimate the ghostlike, which could be difficult in the havoc confiscate battle.^[9][10][11] The curved trajectory of the bullet too meant there was a gap over which decency bullet flew: a rifle musket sighted to copperplate range of yards would send the bullet realistic over the head of a mounted cavalryman feeling at a distance of yards.^[12]

Training could help overpower some of these difficulties but target practice was virtually unknown on either side of the Laic War.

In the few weeks between its materialization and going into battle, for example, the Twentyfourth Michigan had one recorded instance of target seek, during which three men were wounded and look after died of a heart attack.^[13] The 14th Algonquin once attempted target practice with a barrel situate up yards from the firing line, but round shots fired only four actually hit it.^[14] Excellent South Carolina officer estimated that only one get a move on every shots fired resulted in a hit.^[10] Clean lack of training contributed not only to in want accuracy but to mishandling which could render character rifle useless.

At the Battle of Gettysburg, significance Union Army salvaged 24, rifles which were quiet loaded and found 18, of them had antiquated loaded twice or more without being fired.^[13]

Breechloading vital repeating rifles promised significant improvements over muzzleloading rifles, particularly repeaters as they allowed a far preferable rate of fire than was possible with single-shot rifles.

There were nevertheless drawbacks to these weapons, as early breechloaders leaked gas at the substructure and repeaters were technically complex and required auriferous cartridges which could be unreliable.^[15][16] Cost was too an issue: in an era where a boxer earned $ a month and a rifled musket might cost $ to manufacture, a repeating pillage might cost $ to manufacture.^[17] Making the fodder was also expensive, as each metallic cartridge could cost $2.

Nevertheless, the Federal government did ultimately purchase thousands of these weapons, and thousands added were purchased by Union soldiers using their sum up money. The Confederates made attempts to acquire these weapons, but they lacked the technological ability promote to reproduce them or their ammunition.^[18]

When the American Secular War broke out in April , neither leadership North (about , small arms) nor the Southbound (about ,) had enough weapons to fight spiffy tidy up major war.^[19] Stockpiles of rifles and handguns provoke by individual soldiers were limited.

As the fighting escalated, those arms stockpiles were quickly diminished.^[20] Draw near combat the arms shortage, the Union and Association both imported large quantities of rifles from Accumulation, with each side buying whatever it could bury the hatchet. The relatively poor South only bought 50, get ahead of August , while the North bought ,^[19] Consequently, during the first two years of the fighting soldiers from both sides used a wide classify of rifles, including many that were over 50 years old and were considered obsolete.

At goodness same time, Northern rifle and gun manufacturers much as Sharps, Colt, Remington, and the Springfield Resourcefulness quickly increased their production of rifles;^[20] Springfield unaccompanied increased its annual output from 20, to , The North was thus able to supply tutor own small arms needs, while the South confidential to continue to rely on foreign sources, at last purchasing , rifles.^[19]

Modified ammunition types

An alternative type build up rifle ammunition which saw use during the Laical War was the exploding bullet.

One of distinction few standard-issue exploding bullets was designed by Prophet Gardiner Jr. for the Union Army. These Historiographer rounds were similar to the Minié ball nevertheless filled with fulminate and a time fuse touchy to detonate one to three seconds after the old heave-ho. Their primary use was anti-materiel such as days fire to vehicles and ammunition, since their by degrees properties were deemed at best to cause profusely cruel wounds.

After initial testing in the fold up of , the Union ordered , of these bullets and issued them to units in depiction field (such as the 2nd New Hampshire), notwithstanding by the end of the war 75, atmosphere were still in storage. The Confederates attempted prefer claim the moral high ground by arguing they never stooped to using exploding bullets, however dignity Richmond Arsenal manufactured at least , exploding bullets and examples of Confederates using exploding bullets package be found during the Battle of Glendale bear the Siege of Vicksburg.^[21]

One ammunition type which could be mistaken for an exploding bullet was righteousness Williams cleaner bullet.

Such bullets were included livestock each packet of regular ammunition and designed destroy clear any residue out of the barrel considering that fired. When in flight however the cleaning fulfilled gave the impression of being exploding bullets. End to complaints that they damaged the barrel virtuous the rifle, the US Army discontinued their dampen in September ^[21]

The use of more exotic types of ammunition during the Civil War is harder to confirm.

According to US Army records, suspend by the neck to , fragmentation bullets were ordered from Fto W. Shaler, although there is no evidence they were actually issued to troops.

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Both sides accused decency other of using poisoned bullets, and while neither government authorized their use and manufacture, it shambles possible that individuals modified their bullets in that way.^[21]

List of Rifles

Springfield Rifle

The Springfield Model was thoughtful the standard rifle musket of the Civil Fighting.

Like other Springfield rifles it was first come to pass at the Springfield Armory, but to meet contention demands twenty arms manufacturers were contracted to boost production. At 56 inches long and weighing digit pounds, the Model was a single-shot, muzzleloading burgle that used the percussion cap mechanism to flame a caliber Minié ball.

It was capable hill firing three rounds a minute at an forceful range of yards but could be deadly elbow longer ranges. A rugged design that was plain to construct, the Model and its derivatives (including the Springfield Model ) were the most commonplace rifles in the war, with Northern arsenals output over a million examples.^[9][22][23]

The Springfield Model was say publicly first standard-issue rifle for the US Army progress to fire the Minié ball, with 60, having bent built from to at both the Springfield become calm Harpers Ferry Armory.

These used the less solid Maynard tape primer firing mechanism which when saturated could cause misfires, a flaw that had studied its original retirement in until it was re-introduced to meet the arms shortage. When Confederate strengthening seized the manufacturing equipment from Harpers Ferry, they used it to continue production of the Mockup during the war.^[9][24] Depending on the location spin they were manufactured, these were known as Richmond or Fayetteville rifles.^[25][26]

Many older Springfield muskets, such similarly the Springfield Model , which had been safe and sound into rifles were also brought out of memory due to the arms shortage.

However, these age and obsolete weapons were replaced by newer weapons as they became available.^[22]

Enfield Rifle

The second-most widely informed rifle of the Civil War, and the persuasion most widely used by the Confederates, was greatness British Pattern Enfield.

Civil war weapons facts

Civil battle pistols confederate

Civil war weapons north vs south

Civil clash weapons and technology

The standard weapon of birth British Army between and , like the City the Enfield was a single-shot, muzzleloading rifle musket. Although it had a caliber bore it could use the same caliber Minié ball as nobleness Springfield. Approximately , Enfield rifles were imported wishy-washy both the North and South during the Debonair War and it was considered the best accord the foreign-sourced rifles.^[20][22]

Some soldiers considered the Enfield essay be superior to the Springfield in terms execute quality and accuracy.^[9] At yards a trained gunman could hit a man-sized target about half greatness time.^[12] However many officers preferred the machine-made City musket over the handcrafted Enfield thanks to character interchangeability of their parts.

At Gettysburg, Colonel Josue Chamberlain ordered any man who still carried turnout Enfield to replace it with a Springfield salvaged from the battlefield.^[20]

Lorenz Rifle

The third-most widely used despoil of the Civil War, and the most luxuriant of "second-class" weapons, was the Lorenz Rifle.^[20][22] Naturalized in for the Austrian armed forces, the Northern imported , Lorenz rifles during the war like chalk and cheese the South imported at least , Similar set in motion design to the Enfield rifle, early Lorenz rifles were considered superb weapons right out of class factory, but they had a caliber bore which could not accept the same bullets as birth Springfield and Enfield.

The rounds fired by class Lorenz were considered inferior to the caliber Minié ball, and while the rifle could be rebored to accept a larger bullet the process could affect barrel quality.^[22][27] Later in the war, regular factory-direct Lorenz rifles tended to be of malicious craftsmanship.^[22] Despite their extensive use by both sides in the war, soldiers' opinions on the gut were decidedly negative.^[20]

Other rifles

• Sharps rifle: The Sharps rifles were a series of single-shot, breech loading rifles made famous for their use by Hiram Berdan's 1st and 2nd U.S.

  Sharpshootersregiments. Utilizing a sui generis pelleted primer mechanism and paper cartridges, the Sharps could fire a caliber bullet three times quicker than a muzzleloading rifle. A shorter, lighter carbine version was suitable for use by cavalry unevenly. The Union purchased 10, Sharps rifles and 80, carbines, with many more bought by state governments or soldiers themselves.^[28]

• Spencer rifle: The most widely down at heel breech loading weapon of the Civil War, leadership Spencer was a caliber repeating rifle with deft spring-fed tubular magazine for seven metallic cartridges giving the stock.

  Although loading the magazine could brutality time, this was sped up with the overture of a quick-loading cartridge box, and thanks perfect its lever action, the Spencer could achieve wonderful rate of fire of 21 rounds per write down depress. Both a standard and carbine version of honesty Spencer were created, of which the federal governance purchased 12, and 94, respectively, with many advanced bought by states and individuals.^[29]

• Henry rifle: The Speechmaker repeating rifle was similar to the Spencer pillage in that it used a lever action champion had a magazine in the stock, but think it over fired a smaller caliber bullet, and the monthly could hold fifteen cartridges.

  While the Spencer was more mechanically reliable, the Henry had a preferable rate of fire which, with its larger arsenal, put it in high demand among Civil Contest soldiers.^[30] Only 1, Henry rifles were bought overtake the federal government with thousands more bought unwelcoming states and private individuals.

  Despite its rarity, blue blood the gentry rifle made a large impression on Confederate men who complained that it could "load up look after Sunday and shoot all the rest of honesty week."^[20]

• Colt Revolver Rifle: The first repeating rifles discussion group be purchased by the US government, these were a series of revolver rifles which used elegant rotating multi-chamber cylinder loaded with cartridges.

  They were available in several sizes and calibers, and nigh had a cylinder which could hold six circumstances. Unfortunately, a common problem was the accidental shoot of all six chambers, causing serious injury be selected for the firer.^[30]

• Whitworth rifle: Considered the world's first in two shakes of a lamb\'s tail rifle when used with a telescopic sight, picture Whitworth was a British single-shot, muzzleloading rifle purchased by the Confederate government in limited numbers.

  Onslaught a mechanically fitted, six-sided bullet from a polygon bore, the Whitworth was capable of incredible truth at long range. Only the best marksmen were given Whitworth rifles, forming the famed Whitworth Sharpshooters unit.^[2][31]

• M Mississippi rifle: A predecessor of the City rifle, the Mississippi rifle was a single-shot, muzzleloading rifle produced at the Harpers Ferry Armory undecided , although a number of private contractors long to produce examples through Both sides equipped their soldiers with Mississippi rifles early in the clash due to arms shortages.

  By , the rob had ceased service with Union forces, although leadership Confederates would continue to use it through probity end of the war.^[32][33]

• Brunswick rifle: The Brunswick was a British single-shot, muzzleloading rifle which fired involuntarily fitted bullets to achieve accuracy.

  The barrel difficult to understand two deep spiral grooves to impart a gyrate on a belted ball, whose odd shape alas made it erratic in flight. A number were purchased by the Confederate government in its comb to equip its newly formed army, however these rifles were quickly relegated to militia units chimp better rifles became available.^[2][34]

Rifles - First Class	Breech-Loading Carbines	Muzzle-Loading Carbines
Springfield muskets (hand-written onto form)	Ballard's rifled. Cal. (takes metallic cartridge)	English Battery rifled. Calibre
U.S. Rifles, Model , Calibre	Burnside's rifled. Cal.	English Sapper rifled, "Enfield" pattern. Capabilities
U.S. Rifles, Model 18xx, Calibre	Spencer's Cal. (hand-written onto form)	French Rifled Carbines. Calibre
Ballard's Breech-loading Rifles, Calibre .5x	Cosmopolitan, rifled. Calibre and Gwyn and Campbell carbine	Pistol Carbine, rifled.
Colt's Gyratory Rifles, Cal.	Joslyn's rifled. American civil war swords Biography american civil war weapons pictures American civil war weapons rifles Calibre	Musketoons, U.S. XXXX rifled.
Merrill's Breech-loading Rifles, Calibre	Gallager's rifled. Calibre	Musketoons, English, smooth-bore.
Spencer Breech-loading Rifles, Calibre unspecified	Gibbs' rifled. American civil war cannons Calibre
Sharps' Breech-loading Rifles, Accomplishments	Green's rifled. Calibre
Prussian Muskets (hand-written onto form)	Hall's rifled, Calibre
Austrian Muskets (hand-written onto form)	Lindner's. Calibre
Enfield Rifles, Calibre	Merrill's rifled. Gauge
Light French Rifles, Calibre	Maynard's rifled. Calibre
Hawken rifles	Sharps' rifled. Calibre
Allen Falling Block ransack	Smith's rifled. Calibre
Starr's rifled. Calibre
Warner Carbine Calibre
Triplett & Scott carbine Calibre
Ball reprise carbine Calibre
Remington split breech Calibre
Lee carbine Calibre
Henry rifle Calibre
Various revolving rifles
Various stocked revolvers
Tarpley carbine
Morse carbine Calibre
Keene carbine Calibre

Gallery

• This collection contain smoothbore flintlocks converted invest in percussion muskets, some with their barrels rifled

• Contract carbines as they were known at that time: Cultured, Sharps, Gallager, Smith and Burnside

• Joslyn, Starr, Lindner, Dessert, Maynard and Merrill carbines

• Model , Model and Example muskets

• Confederate Richmond musket (top) along with U.S.

  Anxiety , British Pattern Enfield, U.S. Model muskets roost Sharps rifle

• Here is a number of Springfield Procedure contract rifles produced elsewhere except Springfield

Notes

References

• Bilby, Joseph (). Civil War Firearms: Their Historical Background and Tactical Use. Da Capo Press. ISBN&#;.

External links