A history of the first repeating rifles weapons in history. The spencer repeating rifles and carbines were early american leveraction firearms invented. John dore of the 7th new york library of congress these riflemuskets were chiefly percussion weapons. This also spurred the rise of the french third republic and the arrival of the lebel boltaction service rifle, the worlds first smokelesspropellant cartridge rifle. Little information on the later models of military models used in the indian wars. Excellent research on one of the most obscure designs of the civil war. The henry rifle was patented in 1860 by benjamin tyler henry. Two years later, the civil war broke out henry began production for military use by union soldiers. On the domestic front, world war ii brought newcomers that are here examined. Edwards 1962, stackpole books harrisburg, pa winchester repeating arms company. Jan 03, 2004 first into, and last out, of so many battles of the peninsular war, they came from a regiment, then known prosaically as the 95th of foot, but renamed the rifle brigade after the battle of waterloo.
Those virginia cavalry regiments that took part in the great beefsteak raid, captured over 200 of the 1st dc cavalrys henry rifles, they also captured a supply of ammunition. The second amendment is one of americas most hotly contested laws, with critics claiming the authors of the constitution implied protection for ownership of muskets alone. They were far superior to the smoothbore muskets that were used previously in pretty much every conceivable way. List of weapons in the american civil war wikipedia. The winchesters technological family tree runs through the henry rifle, used during the civil war, and on back to 1849, when inventor walter hunt patented the volition repeating rifle. Portrait of christopher miner spencer from the book commemorative biographical record of.
Calibre is the diameter of the bore in inches or millimetres, and the full title of a rifle gives other information. During the war, a variety of weapons were used on both sides. Civil war rifles were the main weapon used by both sides during the war. Repeating rifle, rifled shoulder arm typically designed with a springloaded tubular or box magazine holding metallic cartridges, each of which is fed into the chamber or breech by a lever, pump, bolt, or semiautomatic mechanism. Small arms and ammunition essential civil war curriculum. Bilby unfolds the fascinating story of how two new england inventors, benjamin henry and christopher spencer, each combined generations of cartridge and rifle technology to develop reliable repeating rifles. The revolutionary technology represented by repeating arms used in the american civil war. The rifle fired an allnew cartridge from a thenhefty ammunition count contained under the barrel and had certain famous gunsmith names associated with her origins including that of horace smith. Repeating rifles enabled the shooter to fire multiple shots without having to reload. Small arms of the civil war american battlefield trust.
The information on the rifles usage at new orleans, the converted austrian rifles and that 6,000 carbines were made was all new to me. Cost, availability, reliability, and logistics are all factors limiting the use of repeating rifles particularly in the south. Jan 16, 2019 the henry rifle saw limited service in the american civil war as well as the indian wars and was produced in an equally limited number of examples. There is no doubt that the henry rifle played a role in the civil war, but in helping the development of future firearms. The fast and the furious a quick history of civil war. Aug 04, 2011 civil war weapons showcases studio photographs of the weapons used to fight the war between the states, along with illustrations and beautiful color paintings.
In the civil war, why werent repeating rifles used instead. Pistols too, and for that matter, shotguns, clubs, pikes, sticks and stones, etc. Before the invention of the selfcontained cartridge projectile. Subscribe to tocwoc a civil war blogs feed via rss or email to receive instant updates. In a stroke, the henry rifle and spencer rifle and. Early in the war, confederates used civilian arms including shotguns and hunting rifles like the kentucky or hawken due to the.
Following the election of abraham lincoln in 1860, a bitterly divided america engages in civil war. Its an independently owned space to track and share your reading, and to celebrate books with other readers. It contains a lot of specific detail regarding specific henry rifles. A rifle is usually classified on the basis of the type of action it employs and on the size or calibre of ammunition it fires. During the american civil war, an assortment of small arms found their way onto the battlefield. Issued late in 1863, the spencer carbine had a demoralizing effect on the confederate soldiers. Though the muzzleloading percussion cap rifle was the most numerous weapon, being standard issue for the union and confederate armies, many other firearms, ranging from the singleshot breechloading sharps and burnside rifles to the spencer and the henry rifles, two of the worlds first repeating. Both gave the infantry a tremendous advantage on the battlefield. There are a total of 45 civil war rifles 1861 1865 in the military factory.
The henry gave birth to the 1873 winchester, the gun that won the west. This essential overview of the legendary guns and armsmakers of the civil war era includes. Until now, most books on civil war firearms have tended to focus almost. The unions newfangled gimcracks the new york times. The war between the north and south remains the most bloody conflict in american history with over 625,000 souls claimed. The sharpshooter battalions of the army of northern virginia. Information and articles about civil war guns, a weapon used in the. America was engulfed in the searing flames of the civil war, and the first henry rifles were in the hands of union soldiers by mid 1862. The confederates occasionally captured some of these weapons and ammunition, but, as they were unable to manufacture the cartridges because of their dire copper shortage, their utilization of the weapons was limited. The henry rifle used the lever action and the cartridge technology to allow highly accurate, powerful, rapidfiring guns. This one weapon accounted for most of the casualties during the entire war. Christopher miner spencer, 19thcentury arms manufacturer.
A history of the first repeating rifles, historian joseph. The spencer carbine was one of the most popular firearms of the civil war. For a civil war soldier, owning a henry rifle was a point of pride. Nonfiring replica of 1860 civil war henry repeating rifle.
The model 1859 rifle was 52 caliber, was 47 inches long, and weighed 8 34 pounds, while the carbine was. The confederates occasionally captured some of these weapons and ammunition, but, as they were unable to manufacture the cartridges because of their dire copper shortage, their utilization of the weapons was. Soldiers handbook rifle score special course c abebooks. It is, however, also interesting to read about the difficulty selling the henry to the military during the civil war, considering that the semiautomatic repeater was unique. These weapons include edged weapons such as knives, swords, and bayonets, firearms such as, rifledmuskets, breech loaders and repeating weapons, various field guns such as artillery, and new weapons such as the early grenade. Add to cart save 25% on every book by joining our book club. A history of the first repeating rifles, historian joseph g. Flag images indicative of country of origin and not necessarily the primary operator. The civil war is often to referred as the first modern war in history as it included the most advanced tec. Aug 29, 2016 edited at the army war college, november 1917, corrected to may 1, 1918. Hess forcefully challenges that claim, offering a new, cleareyed, and convincing assessment of the rifle muskets actual performance on the battlefield and its impact on the course of the civil war. Patented in 1860, the henry gave a single man the firepower of a dozen marksmen armed with muzzleloading muskets. The civil war was the first time in history that armies relied upon the mass production of weapons.
They were shipped to french forces for use in the francoprussian war 18701871. Although it was never officially adopted for service by the union army, many soldiers purchased henry rifles with their own funds. This is more than just a gun book about one of the most famous rifles of the civil war. Sep 01, 2008 the civil war s singleshot, muzzleloading musket revolutionized warfareor so weve been told for years. Early models of the leveraction repeating rifle prove highly effective in battle and set the stage for further post war development. A new historical series featured only on this channel bringing to life with vivid recreations, sound and editing documentaries on the history of. Spencer repeating rifle garners civil war contracts. The use of linder carbines in south america was also nice but obviously needs more work to clarify there use in the war of the triple alliance. The two most common repeater rifles available during the civil war were the spencer and henry rifles.
Rifle america by philip sharpe, first edition abebooks. Fred is also very interested in civil war sharpshooters, and is the author of shock troops of the confederacy. Henry who conceived the first practical, lever action repeating rifle. Theodore upson used a henry repeating rifle when he was with general sherman and making the famous march to the sea. An understanding of civil war small arms and ammunition requires knowledge. Even after spencer persuaded lincoln to intervene, ripley dragged his feet. The spencer repeating rifle was first adopted by the united states navy, and later by the united states army, and it was used during the american civil war, where it was a popular weapon. For the price, it is a good reference, although i suspect the unavailable book samuel maxwells lever action magazine rifles, derived from the patents of andrew burgess. When spencer signed his new rifle up for adoption right after the civil war broke out, the view. This book is for those who want to know the origin of the henry rifle. The american civil war was a time of great advances in weaponry. Historical timeline 18661899 winchester repeating arms. The book details the pistols, revolvers, carbines, rifles, longarms, artillery, swords and edged weapons used in the conflict, and reveals fascinating stories and facts about each type.
We personally assess every books quality and offer rare, outofprint treasures. General james wilson wrote, there is no doubt that the spencer carbine is the best firearm put into the hands of the soldier, both for economy of ammunition and maximum. Thriftbooks sells millions of used books at the lowest everyday prices. Entries are listed below in alphanumeric order 1toz. The confederates occasionally captured some of these weapons and ammunition, but, as they were unable to manufacture the cartridges because of their dire. Repeating rifles saw use in the american civil war during the early 1860s, and the first repeating air rifle to see military service was the windbuchse rifle.
However, historical evidence suggests a completely different reality, proving that gunmakers and lawmakers were looking for ways to develop and improve the actions and capacities of firearms well beyond the musket. The american civil war, fought between the union and confederate forces, took place from 1861 to 1865. Just good books and the readers who love them riffle books. Jan 23, 2012 because ripley reported to the secretary of war, not a general, he was immune from the boards orders.
The basics of rifle shooting book by national rifle association. Aug 06, 2009 it is estimated that of the henry repeating rifles used in the civil war the confederacy used about 10% of them. Benjamin tyler henry received a patent on his level action repeating rifle in 1860. There were many stories of battles being won because they were armed with the henry rifle. Spencer rifle carbine leveraction repeating firearm. No other weapon came close to inflicting as much damage as the rifle. Upson wrote a book entitled with sherman to the sea that is a collections of his civil war letters, dairies and reminiscences. Very pretty1863 dated remington military rifle with matching production dates. This handbook is intended as a guide for all soldiers of the regular army, national guard, and national army who arearmed with the rifle, and should be used to supplement the instruction which they will receive from their organizations. Brownells is your source for rifle shooting books,books at brownells parts and accessories.