This rifle was invented in 1854 by Austrian lieutenant Joseph Lorenz. When Confederate forces seized the manufacturing equipment from Harpers Ferry, they used it to continue production of the Model 1855 during the war. The gun is 50 long and 36 from the business end to trigger. Designed by Jean Alexandre Le Mat with his manufacturing backed by P.G.T. Spencer Repeating Rifle/Carbine. Another had identified it as Austrian: Muster 1842 k.k. You can also buy research materials from one of our affiliates at our Books for . This rifle had first seen action in the Second Italian War of Independence. At least two major battles in the Civil War, Gaines Mill and Gettysburg, saw such attempts, both with predictable results. Like the musket, the projectile was smaller than the bore, allowing for fast loading, even when the arm was fouled with black-powder residue. Take a walk down the brick-lined memory lane with these vintage Lego sets. Rock Island Auction Company's December 2021 Premier Firearms Auction. The single-shot rotating-block carbine utilized one of the breakthrough firearms technologies of the time the self-contained cartridge. [17] Stockpiles of rifles and handguns carried by individual soldiers were limited. For other collectable antique military firearms, take a look at our inventory of antique U.S. martial pistols and Civil War revolvers, foreign military surplus antique handguns, and foreign military antique long guns. These rifled muskets have an iconic look that makes them pretty easy to identify based on their silhouette. Though the muzzleloader percussion cap rifle was the most numerous weapon, being standard issue for the Union and Confederate armies, many other firearms, ranging from the single-shot breech-loading Sharps and Burnside rifles to the Spencer and the Henry rifles - two of the world's first repeating rifles - were issued by the hundreds of thousands, mostly by the Union. [7] At 500 yards a trained shooter could hit a man-sized target about half the time. I must admit I have never seen a pair of hammers like those before. Box 160 Llano, Texas 78643 If you have a specific identification question, please see our Identification Request Page. The Springfield may not have been the top of the line or most advanced gun available on the market, but it was definitely the most widely available to Northern troops and got the job done in battle. They were to be shipped with the special brass priming tubes. The rare Confederate Le Mat revolver is another highly desirable Civil War gun. 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. army service. From the start of the war, the Colt Model 1860 Army took over as the hand gun primarily used by Union forces. I need help in identifying the attached photo, Need help identifying uniforms and building, Looking for help identifying a Civil War era sword -, I need help identifying a possible Civil War Uniform. This is a good price for a scarce and desirable gun. Barn find. In September of 2018, RIAC sold a confederate copy of a Sharps rifle for a whopping $28,750. You can find these rifles in antique auctions around the country for a few thousand dollars, such as with this 1861 Sharps rifle that's listed for $3,499. Other rifles used during the Civil War were the British P-1841-Bored Brunswick Rifle (not common), Burnside carbine (used only by cavalry), Henry rifle (privately purchased by soldiers only), and the Spencer rifle (used almost exclusively by cavalry). p. 26-27, Guelzo,A.C.(2012). That is, if you consider a gun designed to fire hexagonal bullets a bit odd. Disease in an era before antibiotics was the main culprit to these horrendous figures, more than 2 percent of the countrys population then. [4] More recently, historians including Paddy Griffith, Mark Grimsley and Brent Nosworthy have challenged this interpretation. army weapons were often marked with unit markings on the barrels, butt plates, or side plates. Traditionally, mounted soldiers carried a lance, sword, or pistol and could sweep enemy infantry weakened by artillery or musket fire. In April of 2018, a desirable Sharps Model 1853 slant breech percussion carbine sold for $12,650 at auction. I have a sword it has a straight blade a bent brass hilt, total length 38 1 Smoothbore vs Rifled Musket, a Tactical Reality Check. United States:Dover Publications. Nevertheless, the rifles were heavily imported with an estimated 350,000 making their way into the hands of both Union and Confederate soldiers. Musket balls are one of the earliest forms of projectiles that were fired from muskets and rifles. The first mass-produced American rifled musket, the 1861 was the most utilized long arm of the Civil War. Fateful Lightning: A New History of the Civil War and Reconstruction. During the American Civil War, there was a real transitory period happening within the firearms industry. The last one I did had printing on it . At the same time, Northern rifle and gun manufacturers such as Sharps, Colt, Remington, and the Springfield Armory quickly increased their production of rifles;[18] Springfield alone increased its annual output from 20,000 to 200,000. Be sure to keep an eye on our catalog so you dont miss out on your next chance to bid on the Civil War gun your collection needs. Advertisements. The Sharps Carbine, on the other hand, had no such problems. The American Civil War still remains the deadliest conflict in our nation's history. To get a better handle on exactly why this seminal war was as bloody as it was, here are the 8 Long Guns You Have to Know from the American Civil War. Napoleon normally always tried to rout opposing armies from the field after softening their line with massed artillery barrages. Only 13,000 Spencer rifles were purchased by the Union. Model 1861 Springfield rifle-muskets became one of the favorite longarms for the Union. These old and obsolete weapons were replaced by newer weapons as they became available. associated with the Revolutionary War but are found on sites ranging from the first Spanish expeditions to the American Civil War. Explore this article. Again, the high level of condition shown is rare to come by with Civil War guns considering the predicted heavy use and age of the firearms. 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. During the American Civil War, an assortment of small arms found their way onto the battlefield.Though the muzzleloader percussion cap rifle was the most numerous weapon, being standard issue for the Union and Confederate armies, many other firearms, ranging from the single-shot breech-loading Sharps and Burnside rifles to the Spencer and the Henry rifles - two of the world's first repeating . Thank you for the quick and enlightening responses. Please use the print button in the share bar at the top of the page. The Le Mat saw wear-and-tear but still showed good plum and brown patina. Starting in 1850 and throughout the Civil War, roughly 100,000 Sharps carbines were produced for military use. Griffith,P.(2001). With a B.S. Roberts was able to cordon off the extremists who were willing to upend the FDAand the entire drug regulatory processto remove the abortion pill from the marketplace. Both sides fielded what ever guns could be . A spectacular Civil War U.S. Burnside Fifth Model breech loading saddle ring carbine. Since the 17th century, infantry normally fought in a tight shoulder-to-shoulder line and fired volleys at each other. Gun - Musket - 1861 Springfield. Admittedly, I know almost nothing about guns (a fact thats obvious to you). But the 24-inch, 9-pound brainchild of Benjamin Henry did have its weak points. A large number were bored out to .58 caliber so that they could use the same ammunition as the Springfield and Enfield rifle-muskets. To determine the height of the unidentified Civil War soldier, an employee of The Horse Soldier store in Gettysburg, Pa . It is a nice looking shotgun as far as I can see. Some such weapons included clones of the Sharps carbine, the Richmond/Fayetteville rifles (a Springfield clone) and imitations of Enfield rifles and musketoons. 7. The price is accredited to the surviving blue finish and gorgeously preserved wood. We would take the wadding apart and lay it flat and turn it into something like a jigsaw puzzle. The 9-pound, 40-inch-barreled Model 1861 was also a more reliable weapon than preceding military arms through the use of percussion caps. Crisis averted, but the . you read and agreed to the, American Civil War Artifacts & Collectibles. With all due respect, the rear sight is the same as on the 1863 Springfield. Others, especially those in later purchases, were described as horrible in both design and condition. With 16+1 rounds of .44 Henry rimfire ammunition on tap, the rifle would have been money well spent. Save my name and email to use for future comments. Some were considered to be of the finest quality, and were sometimes praised as being superior to the Enfield. This weapon gave the Union an advantage over the Confederate troops. He certainly built a gun that outperformed it, at one trial striking targets at 2,000 yards, 600 yards better than the Enfield. In fact, the reinterment of all the soldiers at the Camden Battlefield site is being delayed until the U.S. Army and the South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust can turn the ground into a . Rifles had been in use for many years, but prior to the civil war had been rare in military use. The rifled musket had a 39-inch barrel attached to a walnut stock by three barrel bands, leading it to be called an Enfield three band by some. (2008). 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. Thank you. Polly Pocket: History & Value of Barbies Biggest 90s Rival. Rifles were more accurate than smooth bore muskets, and could have been made using shorter barrels. As such, officers typically failed to realize the power of rifles and continued to launch massed attacks against fortified enemies, which invariably resulted in heavy losses. The action was excellent which is more than one can ask for in a gun that is over 150 years old. Most suggestions that I have received is the Whitney/Plymouth Naval rifle. 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. [11], Breechloading and repeating rifles promised significant improvements over muzzleloading rifles, particularly repeaters as they allowed a far greater rate of fire than was possible with single-shot rifles. Appraiser, Seller and Dealer of Civil War Guns to include Revolvers, Pistols, Rifles, Muskets, Carbines and Cannons, Union and Confederate. 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. In our 2018 December Premier Auction, RIAC sold a U.S. Colt Model 1851 Navy percussion revolver for $4,600. Any identification marks are most likely on the bottom of the barrels, under the wood. Army smoothbore infantry musket. 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. The Model 1841 Mississippi Rifle, the progenitor of the Model 1855 and 1861 Springfield, was still used in the Civil War to a fair degree, especially by Confederate non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and sharpshooters. The rifle itself was in well used condition showing age on the steel and patina in areas, but the significant story behind the model made it sell well. Get 12 Issues a year of the country's best firearms writing. Civil War U.S. Springfield Model 1861 Percussion Rifle-Musket Dated 1862 with Bayonet. [20] Despite their extensive use by both sides in the war, soldiers' opinions on the rifle were decidedly negative. The Civil War gun was a breech loading falling block in .52 caliber and proved to have excellent accuracy and rapid-fire ability. [19], The Springfield Model 1861 was considered the standard rifle musket of the Civil War. [19], One ammunition type which could be mistaken for an exploding bullet was the Williams cleaner bullet. 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. One of the most popular items to collect from the annals of American history is Civil War rifles. Prohibitive cost, however, stymied wider adoption. Please help in identifying this firearm. The six shooter, single action black powder gun could do some damage to an opponent up to about 100 yards away. Again, thanks for taking time to provide us your feedback, it is much appreciated! The black powder at the time quickly fouled the barrel, making reloading slower and more difficult. There are no markings on the shotgun whatsoever aside from some very faint decorative etchings and a couple of tally marks carved into the side of the wood. The back action lock is European for the most part and even US made guns for the most part used imported locks. Engagements, however, generally happened at much closer range, making the 1861 all the more deadly. Jason, welcome to The Firearms Forum. Burnside's design eliminated the expulsion of hot gas from the weapon when it was fired by sealing the area between the barrel and the breech. Get the latest news and reviews from Gundigest.com. The Civil War witnessed a technological revolution in weaponry. After attending a demonstration firing, President Lincoln was impressed enough to give it his approval. Elwood Shelton is an online content developer for Gun Digest. One of the most iconic and memorable of all Civil war guns used by the Union during is the Springfield Model 1861 musket. 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. This was not Britains first go-around with a rifle bound to shoot Mini-style projectiles. Most of these new rifle-muskets still had to be loaded between . This was converted from tubelock to percussion by Henry Leman of Lancaster, PA, in converted from tubelock to percussion by Henry Leman of Lancaster, PA, in late 1862 or early 1863. 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. Other then The French Lefaucheux pin-fire handgun, I have no knowledge of any other French weapons imported by either side. 2.6K views, 382 likes, 124 loves, 77 comments, 48 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from NET25: Mata ng Agila International | April 20, 2023 Rifled muskets not only blunted the frontal assault by enemy infantry but also neutralized the offensive capabilities of cavalry and field artillery and thereby led to the increased usage of trench warfare. Approximately 900,000 Enfield rifles were imported by both the North and South during the Civil War and it was considered the best of the foreign-sourced rifles. Because of this, soldiers were frequently outfitted with firearms that were made decades before the fight even started. The American Civil War of 1861-1865 relied on many different kinds of firearms during the years-long progression of the conflict. Model 1855 rifles were fairly common. Our most recent sale of a Civil War 4th Model presentation grade Burnside rifle was in our May 2019 auction. Italy:Oxford University Press, USA. One particular area that tends to see a boost during wars is artillery development and the 1860s assuredly had its fair share of firearm improvements. It was basically a Joslyn Carbine action fitted to a 1863 Springfield barrel and stock (though heavily modified). Nonetheless, Hardee's book was produced in a huge variety of editions during the war, often for different types of infantry. 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. 8. We buy, sell, identify, authenticate and appraise Antique Civil War and Confederate Firearms of all types, manufactured prior to 1866. So there you have it, the top 7 most desirable Civil War guns for collectors and Civil War enthusiasts alike. Serendipitously, Sir Whitworth found another market for his rifle at the outset of the American Civil War the Confederates. Many British Enfield rifles but they were horrible on the troops hands and were regularly replaced with the Springfield rifles of fallen solders. However, there are no greater rifles to collect than these popular models. Linear formations were thus rarely seen any more (although it did occur in the Battle of Brawner's Farm the evening before Second Bull Run). Springfield, Sharp, Henry, Spencer and the Austrian Lorentz. Most rifles of this era were muzzle loaded rifled muskets. Given the Souths smaller manufacturing base compared to the North, it was imperative it import arms. How to classify and identify Civil War rifles like the Henry Repeater. I don't know anything about your "rifle" except to tell you that it is NOT a rifle, it is a double barreled shotgun. barrel allowed the use of .58 cal. In this image provided by the British Ministry of Defense, on . .44 (takes metallic cartridge), English Sapper rifled, "Enfield" pattern. 8 Long Guns You Have to Know from the American Civil War, Classic Guns: The Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum Revolver, Tips For Reloading the .30-06 Springfield, 5 Affordable Over/Under Shotguns Worth A Shot (2023), Ruger-Made Marlin Model 336 Classic Lever-Action Rifle Now Available. The 130th Illinois reported that one-third or three-eights of these arms [Austrian] are defective.. (2012). Their primary use was anti-materiel such as setting fire to vehicles and ammunition, since their fragmentary properties were deemed at best to cause unnecessarily cruel wounds. The Henry repeating rifle can be considered the Rolls Royce of guns manufactured during the Civil War. The Colt repeating rifle was one of the first repeating rifles, alongside with the Henry. In the few weeks between its formation and going into battle, for example, the 24th Michigan had one recorded instance of target practice, during which three men were wounded and one died of a heart attack. In our 2019 May Premier Auction, we had four Colt Model 1860 Army revolver sell at auction. Flag images indicative of country of origin and not necessarily primary operator. This was a single shot, muzzle-loading gun that used the percussion cap firing mechanism. Its external tubular magazine could get fouled or damaged, which was trouble for a weapon thats advantage was rate of fire. The Civil War rifle became so popular that the Confederate forces copied the design and started producing their own versions of Sharps carbines. Suspected it was loaded. United Kingdom:Yale University Press. This rifle was manufactured for the Union army. Henry Rifle. But there were relatively few that did. What might be surpr. Instead, the .58-caliber rifle (it shot a .577-caliber Mini ball) was an improvement on larger-bore predecessors. Can anyone identify this firearm? In order to hit a target at distances beyond 100 yards, the firer had to carefully adjust their sights and accurately estimate the range, which could be difficult in the havoc of battle. Back in our 2018 December Premiere Auction, RIAC sold a standard, good conditioned Springfield Model 1861 for $3,163. For years, one of the standard manuals used in the US Army had been an 1835 translation by General Winfield Scott of a French work. In fact, antique gun collectors come in all shapes and sizes. The Springfield Model 1861 therefore used a three-band barrel, making it just as long as the smoothbore muskets that it had replaced. Although the Colt was excellent in combat, it had a major design flaw. [11] The 14th Illinois once attempted target practice with a barrel set up 180 yards from the firing line, but of 160 shots fired only four actually hit it. Christian Sharps falling-block still stirs the hearts of marksmen today. Some types of rifles were regionally specific, while others were used across all arenas of the war. Unfortunately for the lucky Confederate troops who happened to capture these rifles from Union soldiers, there wasn't an easy way to access the special ammunition that the guns required. With more than 650 types of bullets used during the War. 10,000 of the muskets were sent to Hall, Carrol and Co and Greenwood and Co, both of Cincinnati, Ohio. With seven rounds of .56-56 Spencer rimfire on tap, the rifle delivered overwhelming firepower for the time. The conical projectile, developed by French Army officer Claude-Etienne Mini in 1849, delivered before then unheard-of accuracy to military long guns. Like other Springfield rifles it was first produced at the Springfield Armory, but to meet war demands twenty arms manufacturers were contracted to increase production. 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. 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. $1,398.00. The unfortunate experience the army had had with these led to a stigma against repeating rifles, combined with the old fear that they (and single-shot breech loaders) would encourage men to waste ammunition. Visit the Civil War Arms Index. A forum community dedicated to all firearm owners and enthusiasts. Due to a lack of munitions manufacturers in the South, the Confederates depended on the British government to procure these weapons. LIFE ; TECH ; How to Identify Revolutionary War Musket Balls. The rifle showed gray patina and mild wear from use which is pretty astounding considering the age. Calibre .577, Cosmopolitan, rifled. [18][20] Introduced in 1854 for the Austrian armed forces, the North imported 226,924 Lorenz rifles during the war while the South imported at least 100,000. If it's US made, which appears likely, it may or may not have any stampings on it. Military Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. It had design similarities to the Colt revolver, with a rotating cylinder that held several rounds of ammunition (a unique feature on a rifle). After experimenting with the failed Maynard primer system on the Model 1855 musket, the Model 1861 reverted to the more reliable percussion lock. Designed by the famous Civil War General Ambrose Burnside in 1853 before the war, the Burnside carbine was originally produced, delivered, and trialed to the United States government in 1858. When one side gained the upper hand, they would finish off the attack with a bayonet charge. 2002-2023 LoveToKnow Media. All rights reserved. The markings identify the regiment, battalion or company, and the weapon within that unit. The side with the best production plants and firepower was ultimately more likely to win the war. 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. These differences made it easy to operate from horseback with accuracy, and this accuracy is what inspired the English term, "sharpshooter." The rifling also improved precision over traditional musket. There are numerous accounts of Union soldiers connecting shots from just shy of 1,000 yards with the revolutionary Sharps. Posted December 24, 2009. Now trying to prove this gun saw use is a whole different story and most likely can not be done. Table of Contents. These Gardiner rounds were similar to the Mini ball but filled with fulminate and a time fuse set to detonate one to three seconds after firing. This rare Spencer Model 1860 carbine is identified as a War Department pattern gun and the top of the breech end of the barrel is bearing a flaming bomb stamp above "W.D" (War Department) surrounded by an oval and "1864" in three lines. This appears to have been issued to the 61st Infantry Regiment (Hungarian) (Graf von Strassoldo), Company A, 4th weapon, when it was in k.k. for cover. The carbine was the third most used amongst forces during the war only trailing behind the Spencer and Sharps. Black powder also quickly obscured the battlefield, which led military leaders of the time to conclude that the greater range of rifles was of little value on the battlefield. Outdoor Hub, LLC (d/b/a Carbon Media Group), 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. Many officers, however, preferred the Springfield muskets over the Enfield musketslargely due to the interchangeability of parts that the machine-made Springfields offered. The Confederacy had at least seven units that were armed with Burnside rifles that had been captured from the Union armies. They were expensive to manufacture and only 11,000 were produced, most of which were unissued or went to sharpshooters. [1] Accordingly, during the first two years of the war soldiers from both sides used a wide variety of rifles, including many that were over 50 years old and were considered obsolete. Examples altered by them feature a cone-in-barrel conversion, and some are fitted with a US M1855 style long range sight and are rifled. The Sharps continued to make history after the war. The telescopic sights were more accurate, but had a reputation for bruising the user's eye due to the rifle's recoil. In Civil War battles, infantry typically fought in a widely-spread out line, with the men using trees, rocks, buildings, etc. At the same time, Northern rifle and gun manufacturers such as Sharps, Colt, Remington, and the United States armory at Springfield, Massachusetts quickly increased their production of rifles;[2] Springfield alone increased its annual output from 20,000 to 200,000. Used by both the Confederate and Union troops, the Sharps were often used as a sniper rifle. 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. However, it was the invention of the Mini ball which ultimately solved the problem of the slow-loading rifle. [12] A South Carolina officer estimated that only one in every 400 shots fired resulted in a hit. We have an old rifle that has been passed on through my wifes family from, we believe, the Ciivil War. USA.gov, The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration During the American Civil War, an assortment of small arms found their way onto the battlefield. Mike, a NPS Ranger at Fort Pulaski in GA, demonstrates how to fire a Civil War style rifle, demonstrating the commands for e. The new repeater rifles would see fairly limited use in the Civil War. It MIGHT have been fired during the War - but was NOT a war weapon - it was used to hunt birds, rabbits and squirrels. The rifle was completely original and still retains almost all its blue coloring on the barrel. The curved trajectory of the bullet also meant there was a gap over which the bullet flew: a rifle musket sighted to a range of 500 yards would send the bullet clear over the head of a mounted cavalryman standing at a distance of 250 yards. The Lorenz was a bit like playing craps, if craps entailed being killed if the dice were faulty. So, if you've caught the eye of an old looking rifle in your grandfather's shed in the backyard, take a minute to look it over and see what hidden treasures your family might've been hiding. Bridesburg Model . Almost all rifles were made with iron barrels, while only some, like the Burnside, used steel, which then was expensive. List of Civil War Rifles and Their Unique Features, Civil War Weapons: A Closer Look at History, Winchester Firearms Values of Antique Models, Civil War Weapons: An Illustrated Guide to the Wide Range of Weaponry Used on the Battlefield, Civil War Firearms: Their Historical Background and Tactical Use.
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