The Civil War, an era in America history that changed the countrys future. Whitworth rifles were equipped with either Enfield style sights or telescopic sights. 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. 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. Nevertheless, the Federal government did eventually purchase thousands of these weapons, and thousands more were purchased by Union soldiers using their own money. However the 1861 Special Model is correct as the real difference are in the shape of bolster on the barrel, the shallow notch for the bolster in the lock plate, and the hammer which is unique to the 1861 Special Model. Mounted charges gave way to dismounted combat where men would tie up their horses and fight on foot. Guns with a story and background are extremely interesting and exciting to collect with the Civil War era being a time that has many tales to tell. Disease in an era before antibiotics was the main culprit to these horrendous figures, more than 2 percent of the countrys population then. With a B.S. . By entering this site you declare 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. These numbers can be printed on the stock, butt, and gun's barrel, depending on the manufacturer and model. Inventors and military men devised new types of weapons, such . The first mass-produced American rifled musket, the 1861 was the most utilized long arm of the Civil War. It is a great option for a collector on a budget. 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. The highest selling Colt Model 1860 revolver in May was a Confederate shipped fluted cylinder model and sold for $12,650. What might be surpr. It performed so well under combat conditions that the Confederate armies believed that they had attacked an entire division instead of a single regiment during the Battle of Chickamauga. But the Henry made its way into Civil War lore through soldiers spending their own hard-earned pay on the brass-receiver beasts. I have a Sharps New Model 1859 rifle barrel. (2001). The rifle was used as early as the Battle of Shiloh in 1862 and was a staple long gun through to the final battles of the war. Some southern cavalry and guerrillas used shotguns but their barrels were cut off short. Civil War Rifle Identification | The Firearms Forum 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. Save my name and email to use for future comments. Captain James H. Burton improved the American Mini ball fired by the Springfield by hollowing the base of the soft-lead bullet. The side with the best production plants and firepower was ultimately more likely to win the war. Interestingly enough, Colt Manufacturing sent around 2,200 Model 1860 Colts to the South on contract early in the war. The majority of Le Mats that actually saw use in battle were produced in France and shipped via the United Kingdom to the Confederacy. A popular revolver with both Northern and Southern forces, the Colt Model 1851 Navy was a longstanding Civil War gun that famously is also a hand gun of classic outlaws, Texas rangers, and famed figures of the west like Wild Bill Hickok. This Enfield model 1853 was commonly used by both Union and Confederate infantry troops during the Civil War. Rifles in the American Civil War | Military Wiki | Fandom 1-86-NARA-NARA or 1-866-272-6272, The Struggles of a Soldier-Inventor: Capt. Most of the time it was chopped up pieces of steel and newspaper wadding. Dec 13, 2014. Civil War U.S. Springfield Model 1861 Percussion Rifle-Musket Dated 1862 with Bayonet. Army smoothbore infantry musket. Spencer rifles and carbines are highly desirable Civil War guns to military memorabilia collectors. Despite the rifles impressive capabilities the British military did not adopt the .451-caliber Whitworth. They may be raw castings that were never finished. Typical appearing 1840's to 1860's/early 1870's double barrel muzzleloading shotgun. Used by both the Confederate and Union troops, the Sharps were often used as a sniper rifle. The Whitworth rifle featured a unique hexagonal shaped bullet (with a matching hexagonal barrel) that gave it superior accuracy. I must admit I have never seen a pair of hammers like those before. This had to be one of the finest Spencer rifles still surviving today. Granville Stuart's Sharps Model 1874 Creedmoor No. p. 1-3, Axelrod,A. p. 109-110, Historical Dictionary of the U.S. Army. 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. Advertisements. Perhaps the most intriguing feature of the Civil War gun is its .60 caliber, 18 gauge under shotgun barrel located right underneath its .42 barrel giving the user an addition shot. [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. 10 Facts: Civil War Artillery | American Battlefield Trust List of Civil War Rifles and Their Unique Features | LoveToKnow Whitworth Rifle. It MIGHT have been fired during the War - but was NOT a war weapon - it was used to hunt birds, rabbits and squirrels. For questions or more information about our firearms or policies, call us at (877) 214-9327 or email info@collectorsfirearms.com . If . 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. Thus, the short-lived Burnside rifle didn't become a major winner with soldiers during the war. (2012). This is most definitely a sporting arm and not a military arm. 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. This is one of the most unique Civil War guns a collector can get their hands on considering its provenance and rarity. Heralded by military historians, American history aficionados, and gun enthusiasts alike, these iconic firearms have transcended their place in history (thanks to the myth making machine of Hollywood cinema) and have become a beloved family heirloom and collection centerpiece today.