All rights reserved. Given that these rifles were infrequently used in the war, it's unlikely to find these rifles at auction. The Civil War witnessed a technological revolution in weaponry. We buy, sell, identify, authenticate and appraise Antique Civil War and Confederate Firearms of all types, manufactured prior to 1866. In a conflict dominated by muzzleloaders and single-shot rifles, the Spencer Repeating Rifle had to have seemed like a godsend. The Napoleonic cavalry charge was thus made both obsolete and suicidal by rifles. Its no wonder both sides wanted a handful of Burnsides in their soldiers hands. In our 2019 May Premier Auction, we had four Colt Model 1860 Army revolver sell at auction. They were to be shipped with the special brass priming tubes. One of the few standard-issue exploding bullets was designed by Samuel Gardiner Jr. for the Union Army. Model 1861 Springfield rifle-muskets became one of the favorite longarms for the Union. The 38-inch-long rifled barrel made it a very accurate weapon, and it was possible to hit a man sized target with a Mini ball as far away as 500 yards (460m). in Public History, Megan is fascinated by vintage & antique items. Flag images indicative of country of origin and not necessarily primary operator. What might be surpr. 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. Cannonballs were solid, round objects that would ricochet off the ground and often used to target fortifications and enemy artillery. His goal was to build a replacement for the Pattern 1853. Trying to remove nipples and they would not budge. One of the most fascinating markings on the gun is carved initials in the stock of the gun. p. 73-74, Coggins,J. We auctioned off the beauty for $21,850. Thus, the short-lived Burnside rifle didn't become a major winner with soldiers during the war. During the American Civil War, an assortment of small arms found their way onto the battlefield. The bored out versions were not consistent in caliber, ranging from .57 to .59. The quality of Lorenz rifles during the Civil War was not consistent. Although it had a .577 caliber bore it could use the same .58 caliber Mini ball as the Springfield. 8 Long Guns You Have to Know from the American Civil War 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. These rifles, while more accurate than smoothbore muskets, had been designed for hunting, and fired less deadly smaller caliber ammunition. 4 | "War in an Age of Wonders" By Michael P. Musick The information most sought after in ordnance records is data on the issuance of arms by serial number. The old gal looks rode hard and put away wet. Bridesburg Model 1861. 2.6K views, 382 likes, 124 loves, 77 comments, 48 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from NET25: Mata ng Agila International | April 20, 2023 The majority of Le Mats that actually saw use in battle were produced in France and shipped via the United Kingdom to the Confederacy. The 9-pound, 40-inch-barreled Model 1861 was also a more reliable weapon than preceding military arms through the use of percussion caps. 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. The rifle that you could load on Sunday and shoot all week long was a boon to the soldier who could get his hands on one. This one is thrown in the list for fun, who doesnt like a good Le Mat revolver? The ignition source was a folded rim on the inside of the gun. [17] Stockpiles of rifles and handguns carried by individual soldiers were limited. A spectacular Civil War U.S. Burnside Fifth Model breech loading saddle ring carbine. The rifle showed gray patina and mild wear from use which is pretty astounding considering the age. It looks like the wood has been sanded and refinished. For instance, one was produced specially for African-American troops, and another for Zouave units. Inventors and military men devised new types of weapons, such . The hammers look homemade and while it's probably old enough to have been used in the war it is very highly unlikely. [17] 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. [18][20], Some soldiers considered the Enfield to be superior to the Springfield in terms of quality and accuracy. The markings identify the regiment . It was a hollow shell filled with scraps . Elwood Shelton is an online content developer for Gun Digest. The only breechloading rifle (not built as a carbine like the Burnside) firing a primed-metallic cartridge (a .50 cal. When in flight however the cleaning components gave the impression of being exploding bullets. 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. Confederate General Braxton Braggs LeMat revolver realized an incredible $103,500 during Rock Island Auction Company's December 2021 Premier Firearms Auction. Round balls did not fit so tightly into the barrel, and therefore did not suffer from the slow loading problem common to rifles. 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. During the American Civil War, there was a real transitory period happening within the firearms industry. The Ask the Pros & What's It Worth? 2002-2023 LoveToKnow Media. [18], This collection contain smoothbore flintlocks converted into percussion muskets, some with their barrels rifled, Contract carbines as they were known at that time: Cosmopolitan, Sharps, Gallager, Smith and Burnside, Joslyn, Starr, Lindner, Warner, Maynard and Merrill carbines, Model 1816, Model 1842 and Model 1855 muskets, Confederate Richmond musket (top) along with U.S. Model 1861, British Pattern 1853 Enfield, U.S. Model 1861 muskets and Sharps rifle, Here is a number of Springfield Model 1861 contract rifles produced elsewhere except Springfield. The Perpetually Frozen North. To determine the height of the unidentified Civil War soldier, an employee of The Horse Soldier store in Gettysburg, Pa . Behind the Sharps, it was the most used cavalry carbine of the war. In our 2018 December Premier Auction, RIAC sold a U.S. Colt Model 1851 Navy percussion revolver for $4,600. It was a advertisement at a market. The South didnt have the manufacturing ability to produce the guns they needed, so they contracted 5,000 to be produced overseas. 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. The six shooter, single action black powder gun could do some damage to an opponent up to about 100 yards away. Sharps were the most highly desirable Civil War rifles and carbines for sharpshooters. Spencer Repeating Rifle/Carbine. Guns like these did see use and were preferred by some. Went off and smoked up the shop, I have unloaded a few old doubles myself . Another had identified it as Austrian: Muster 1842 k.k. If . (2017). Due to this, it's statistically more likely for a family with a Union ancestor to have an Enfield in their collection than a Confederate family is to. 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. There was also the Model 1859 Sharps rifle, a single-shot breechloader. Firing a Civil War Rifle - With Commands - YouTube The Confederacy had at least seven units that were armed with Burnside rifles that had been captured from the Union armies. The accuracy of the Whitworth was often exaggerated, but it was capable of hitting a man sized target beyond 1,000 yards. army weapons were often marked with unit markings on the barrels, butt plates, or side plates. This is most definitely a sporting arm and not a military arm. This rifled musket , with the lock marking "1861 Springfield" and an eagle, was the principal infantry arm of the civil war. 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 third most widely used weapon of the Civil War was the Lorenz Rifle. Many of these poorer quality weapons were swapped out on the battlefield for Enfield rifle-muskets whenever one became available. Civil War Guns, Revolvers, Pistols, Union and Confederate Appraiser The Springfield Model 1861 was a common Union infantry rifle during the Battle of Antietam. Other then The French Lefaucheux pin-fire handgun, I have no knowledge of any other French weapons imported by either side. $1,398.00. Can you identify this Civil War Bayonet?? - U.S. Militaria Forum 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. Back in our 2018 December Premiere Auction, RIAC sold a standard, good conditioned Springfield Model 1861 for $3,163. I HAVE I HEAVY BARREL TARGET RIFLE FROM THE CIVIL WAR. The markings identify the regiment, battalion or company, and the weapon within that unit. Starting in 1850 and throughout the Civil War, roughly 100,000 Sharps carbines were produced for military use. Please help in identifying this firearm. Typical appearing 1840's to 1860's/early 1870's double barrel muzzleloading shotgun. More interestingly, there is evidence that at least 7 Confederate brigades possessed Burnside carbines and used them in battle. Most rifles of this era were muzzle loaded rifled muskets. If they are twist steel the gun may be an earlier example. She is dedicated to preserving history and shares her knowledge through LoveToKnow's antiques channel. The highest selling Colt Model 1860 revolver in May was a Confederate shipped fluted cylinder model and sold for $12,650. 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 . barrel allowed the use of .58 cal. [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. Identifying A Firearm | American Civil War Forum I can't tell from the pictures if the barrels are Damascus or not. I would guess the gun originated in Belgium. [7][8][9][10], Training could help overcome some of these difficulties but target practice was virtually unknown on either side of the Civil War. This one was . Sir Richard Barrons on how the characteristics of war are changing What were the top long guns from the American Civil War? The second most widely used weapon of the Civil War, and the most widely used weapon by the Confederates, was the British Pattern 1853 Enfield. In this situation, anecdotal evidence and photographs or written documentation placing a specific rifle in the period can be very helpful. The Civil War gun was a breech loading falling block in .52 caliber and proved to have excellent accuracy and rapid-fire ability. Most Colt Revolving Rifles were eventually sold off by the War Department for 55 cents just to get rid of them. Can anyone identify this firearm? Armies South, Armies North. Our most recent sale of a Civil War 4th Model presentation grade Burnside rifle was in our May 2019 auction. 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. IDENTIFIED Civil War CONFEDERATE P1853 Musket - Guns International associated with the Revolutionary War but are found on sites ranging from the first Spanish expeditions to the American Civil War. From a young age, Americans are exposed to so much from the major 19th century con, You don't have to be a historic re-enactor or a grizzled outdoorsman to have an appreciation for historic firearms. In April of 2018, a desirable Sharps Model 1853 slant breech percussion carbine sold for $12,650 at auction. The US adopted the breechloading 1866 Springfield "Trapdoor" infantry rifle built from surplus rifle-musket parts after the war. The single-shot rotating-block carbine utilized one of the breakthrough firearms technologies of the time the self-contained cartridge. 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. .44 (takes metallic cartridge), English Sapper rifled, "Enfield" pattern. Box 160 Llano, Texas 78643 If you have a specific identification question, please see our Identification Request Page. These used the less reliable Maynard tape primer firing mechanism which when damp could cause misfires, a flaw that had forced its original retirement in 1860 until it was re-introduced to meet the arms shortage. How to Identify Revolutionary War Musket Balls - Synonym 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. (2001). 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. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Many soldiers saved their salaries to buy their own Henry rifle as their government issued weapons couldn't hold up to the rifle's speed and lethality. The flintlock, which had been in use for almost two hundred years, had been replaced by the caplock in the 1840s. Slight improvements were made on the rifle in 1863 and new production Springfield rifles were called the Model 1863. A rugged design that was simple to construct, the Model 1861 and its derivatives (including the Springfield Model 1863) were the most common rifles in the war, with Northern arsenals producing over a million examples. Almost all rifles were made with iron barrels, while only some, like the Burnside, used steel, which then was expensive. The price is accredited to the surviving blue finish and gorgeously preserved wood. This rifle was manufactured for the Union army. Small shipments of this high caliber percussion rifle were delivered to the United States Armies during the Civil War. Polly Pocket: History & Value of Barbies Biggest 90s Rival. Burnsides company went under and he sold his patent to Charles Jackson. It had a rifled barrel, and fired the .58 caliber Mini ball. Yes Sir, I unloaded one just the other day. Soon, 14 Revolutionary War soldiers will finally rest in peace A forum community dedicated to all firearm owners and enthusiasts. Outstanding Civil War U.S. Springfield Model 1861 percussion rifle-musket dated 1862 with bayonet. Many officers, however, preferred the Springfield muskets over the Enfield musketslargely due to the interchangeability of parts that the machine-made Springfields offered. The benefit of this Civil War rifle was that it could be fired in rapid succession without pausing to reload after each shot. We did not manufacture guns of this nature in the US. JavaScript is disabled. There was an article in a very recent edition of Man at Arms Collector magazine on shotgun use in the Civil War. Rifled muskets quickly became the standard weapon of modern armies of the period, including the United States, while some smoothbore muskets were converted into rifles. In the decades leading up to the Civil War, numerous advances had been made in weapons. The Springfield Model 1861 therefore used a three-band barrel, making it just as long as the smoothbore muskets that it had replaced. I was working on a double barreled shotgun. During the American Civil War, the rifle was the most common weapon found on the battlefield. Civil War Guns: Union Long Arms - Rock Island Auction Company 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. A handsome, durable and accurate rifle . If well made, it was well regarded. Civil War rifles like the Springfield Model 1861 musket and Sharps were key elements to battle and are sought-after guns by Civil War memorabilia collectors today, while those who fancy handguns seek out Colt Model 1860 Army or Model 1851 Navy revolvers. Explore this article. List of Civil War Rifles and Their Unique Features | LoveToKnow And it can still be found harvesting game today. LIFE ; TECH ; How to Identify Revolutionary War Musket Balls. I don't know anything about your "rifle" except to tell you that it is NOT a rifle, it is a double barreled shotgun. These rifled muskets have an iconic look that makes them pretty easy to identify based on their silhouette. 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. The Le Mat saw wear-and-tear but still showed good plum and brown patina. 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. The gunpowder would sometimes leak from the cartridges in the field and settle into the cylinder. 60th North Carolina Infantry Inscribed Rifle. [2] Soldiers were often forced to use older smooth bore and flintlock muskets, which had been considered to be obsolete, simply because the newer rifles were not available in sufficient quantities. By entering this site you declare Traditionally, mounted soldiers carried a lance, sword, or pistol and could sweep enemy infantry weakened by artillery or musket fire. One of the most iconic and memorable of all Civil war guns used by the Union during is the Springfield Model 1861 musket. Email us at Mail@HistoricalArms.net or call 440-744-9088 (11am - 8pm Eastern Time) 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. The inventor of the gun was able to mass produce a cartridge that had a powerful powder charge. This was not Britains first go-around with a rifle bound to shoot Mini-style projectiles. Hi Folks, this bayonet it 291/2" long with a blade length of 25", maybe as much as 251/4" if it were at original length. United States:Lyons Press. Manufactured in New Haven, Connecticut, these rifles have an iconic gold lever-action mechanism and blue finish. Despite somewhat limited use, the muzzleloader still reached mythological status with Rebel sharpshooters who achieved some truly astounding shots with the rifle, and in the process struck terror into Union troops. Musket Ball and Small Shot Identification: A Guide Rifles were more accurate than smooth bore muskets, and could have been made using shorter barrels. April 28, 2023 at 6:36 a.m. EDT. [23][24], Many older Springfield muskets, such as the Springfield Model 1842, which had been converted into rifles were also brought out of storage due to the arms shortage. The Whitworth rifle featured a unique hexagonal shaped bullet (with a matching hexagonal barrel) that gave it superior accuracy. The military tried to work around this in various ways, but the Colt Revolving rifle was discontinued. 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. 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. Dec 13, 2014. Used in the Civil War? Calibre .577, Cosmopolitan, rifled. United Kingdom:Greenwood Press. Spencer rifles were the first successful repeater used in the United States. Mini ball rifles - Various rifles were able to shoot mini balls, which created large, gaping wounds in the targets that they hit. The Spencer carbine and rifle were first presented to the government in 1860, but were rejected by the United States because they were 7 shooters and fired too fast for accuracy. This. We have an old rifle that has been passed on through my wifes family from, we believe, the Ciivil War. Bridesburg Model . [16], When the American Civil War broke out in April 1861, neither the North (about 360,000 small arms) nor the South (about 240,000) had enough weapons to fight a major war. However, new research pegs it higher at 750,000, even 850,000. Many soldiers were forced to use their own personal hunting rifles, which were typically Kentucky or Pennsylvania type rifles. The standard weapon of the British Army between 1853 and 1867, like the Springfield the Enfield was a single-shot, muzzleloading rifle musket. 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. Therefore, you can't always rely on age to be an indicator as to whether a weapon saw action during the Civil War. Calibre .52 and Gwyn and Campbell carbine, Prussian Muskets (hand-written onto form), Austrian Muskets (hand-written onto form), This page was last edited on 25 April 2023, at 17:08.