THE GATLING GUN:
Invented by Richard J. Gatling in 1861, the Gatling Gun saw limited use during the Civil War and is often considered the first machine gun. Though the US Government remained skeptical, individual officers such as Major General Benjamin Butler purchased them for use in the field.
MODEL 1853 ENFIELD RIFLE:
Like many rifles imported from Europe during the war, the Model 1853 caliber Enfield was carried by both armies. A key advantage of the Enfield was its ability to fire the standard .58 caliber bullet preferred by both the Union and Confederacy.
MODEL 1861 COLT NAVY REVOLVER:
A favorite of both North and South, the Model 1861 Colt Navy revolver was a six-shot, .36 caliber pistol. Produced from 1861 to 1873.
THE 12-POUNDER NAPOLEON:
Named after the French Emperor Napoleon III, the Napoleon was the workhorse gun of the Civil War artillery. Both sides deployed this versatile gun in large numbers.
3-INCH ORDNANCE RIFLE:
Known for its reliability and accuracy, the 3-inch ordnance rifle was used by both armies. The ordnance rifle typically fired 8 or 9 pound shells. Union-made rifles tended to perform better than Confederate models.
PARROTT RIFLE:
Made by Robert Parrott (NY), the Parrott Rifle was deployed by both the US Army and US Navy. Parrott rifles were produced in 10- and 20-pounder models for use on the battlefield and as large as 200-pounders for use in fortifications.
SPENCER RIFLE/CARBINE:
One of the most advanced weapons of its day. A popular weapon with Union troops, the US Government purchased over 95,000 during the war.
SHARPS RIFLE:
Sharps Rifle proved to be an accurate, reliable breech-loading weapon. A falling-block rifle, the Sharps possessed a unique pellet primer feeding system. Each time the trigger was pulled, a new pellet primer would be flipped onto the nipple, eliminating the need to use percussion caps. This feature made the Sharps particularly popular with cavalry units.
MODEL 1861 SPRINGFIELD:
The standard rifle of Civil War, the Model 1861 Springfield was produced widely on both sides with over 700,000 manufactured during the war. The Springfield was the first rifled musket to ever be produced in such large numbers.
Invented by Richard J. Gatling in 1861, the Gatling Gun saw limited use during the Civil War and is often considered the first machine gun. Though the US Government remained skeptical, individual officers such as Major General Benjamin Butler purchased them for use in the field.
MODEL 1853 ENFIELD RIFLE:
Like many rifles imported from Europe during the war, the Model 1853 caliber Enfield was carried by both armies. A key advantage of the Enfield was its ability to fire the standard .58 caliber bullet preferred by both the Union and Confederacy.
MODEL 1861 COLT NAVY REVOLVER:
A favorite of both North and South, the Model 1861 Colt Navy revolver was a six-shot, .36 caliber pistol. Produced from 1861 to 1873.
THE 12-POUNDER NAPOLEON:
Named after the French Emperor Napoleon III, the Napoleon was the workhorse gun of the Civil War artillery. Both sides deployed this versatile gun in large numbers.
3-INCH ORDNANCE RIFLE:
Known for its reliability and accuracy, the 3-inch ordnance rifle was used by both armies. The ordnance rifle typically fired 8 or 9 pound shells. Union-made rifles tended to perform better than Confederate models.
PARROTT RIFLE:
Made by Robert Parrott (NY), the Parrott Rifle was deployed by both the US Army and US Navy. Parrott rifles were produced in 10- and 20-pounder models for use on the battlefield and as large as 200-pounders for use in fortifications.
SPENCER RIFLE/CARBINE:
One of the most advanced weapons of its day. A popular weapon with Union troops, the US Government purchased over 95,000 during the war.
SHARPS RIFLE:
Sharps Rifle proved to be an accurate, reliable breech-loading weapon. A falling-block rifle, the Sharps possessed a unique pellet primer feeding system. Each time the trigger was pulled, a new pellet primer would be flipped onto the nipple, eliminating the need to use percussion caps. This feature made the Sharps particularly popular with cavalry units.
MODEL 1861 SPRINGFIELD:
The standard rifle of Civil War, the Model 1861 Springfield was produced widely on both sides with over 700,000 manufactured during the war. The Springfield was the first rifled musket to ever be produced in such large numbers.