Civil War Weapons: Antique Rifles and Guns

<h1>Civil War Weapons: Antique Rifles and Guns</h1>Author: <a title="Atlanta Cutlery" href="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/atlanta-cutlery/258182.htm">Atlanta Cutlery</a> <img src="http://www.atlantacutlery.com/images/PRODUCT/icon/699.jpg" alt="Antique Rifle" /> At the beginning of the Civil War, <a href="http://www.atlantacutlery.com/c-162-guns-rifles-untouched.aspx" target="_blank">firearms</a> of all types were in short supply. Many early volunteers were issued antiquated, imported, and nearly obsolete weapons as both sides strained to meet the demand for arms. Eventually, however, a few quality types were obtained in large numbers and became standard issue to the soldiers of both armies. INFANTRY The basic weapon of an infantry soldier was the single-shot, muzzle-loading <a href="http://www.atlantacutlery.com/p-699-p-1853-enfield-577-caliber-percussion-infantry-rifle-kit.aspx" target="_blank">percussion musket</a>. Foremost among these was the Springfield, manufactured at the U.S. Armory in Springfield, Massachusetts, and at other locations. All were generically referred to as "Springfields" by the troops. By the end of the war, total production approached 1.5 million weapons. The Springfield had a 39 inch long rifled barrel, and could fire a .58 caliber bullet effectively at targets 500 yards distant. After the Confederate capture of the Federal armory at Harper's Ferry, Virginia (later West Virginia), more than 64,000 Confederate copies were produced. A close competitor to the Springfield, and the best of the foreign-made weapons, was the British Enfield. These were imported by both North and South in numbers exceeding 800,000. The Enfield fired bullets of .577 caliber the same distance as a Springfield, and the ammunition was interchangeable between the two. Externally, there were few differences. Nevertheless, some officers felt a decided bias against the Enfield. "They are rough, and tear the men's hands to pieces when going through the manual (of arms)" one officer complained. Ordnance officers noted that the hand-finished parts of an Enfield did not interchange, as did those of a machine-made Springfield. Col. Joshua Chamberlain, commanding the 20th Maine regiment, noted the number of abandoned Springfields around his position on Little Round Top after the fighting there on 2 July, 1863, and instructed his men still using Enfields to exchange them for Springfields. Atlanta Cutlery brings the antique civil war untouched rifle and also the authentic replica of the civil war <a href="http://www.atlantacutlery.com/c-88-antique-militaria.aspx" target="_blank">weapons</a>.About the Author: <a href="http://www.atlantacutlery.com">Atlanta Cutlery Corporation</a> deals in various kinds of historical swords and sabers which include US army nco swords and officer's cavalry sabers beside these antique militaria which include antique guns and <a href="http://www.atlantacutlery.com/c-101-guns-rifles.aspx">rifles</a>.
Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/">ArticlesBase.com</a> - <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/collecting-articles/civil-war-weapons-antique-rifles-and-guns-1338185.html" title="Civil War Weapons: Antique Rifles and Guns">Civil War Weapons: Antique Rifles and Guns</a>

At the beginning of the Civil War, firearms of all types were in short supply. Many early volunteers were issued antiquated, imported, and nearly obsolete weapons as both sides strained to meet the demand for arms. Eventually, however, a few quality types were obtained in large numbers and became standard issue to the soldiers of both armies.

INFANTRY
The basic weapon of an infantry soldier was the single-shot, muzzle-loading percussion musket. Foremost among these was the Springfield, manufactured at the U.S. Armory in Springfield, Massachusetts, and at other locations. All were generically referred to as "Springfields" by the troops. By the end of the war, total production approached 1.5 million weapons. The Springfield had a 39 inch long rifled barrel, and could fire a .58 caliber bullet effectively at targets 500 yards distant. After the Confederate capture of the Federal armory at Harper's Ferry, Virginia (later West Virginia), more than 64,000 Confederate copies were produced.

A close competitor to the Springfield, and the best of the foreign-made weapons, was the British Enfield. These were imported by both North and South in numbers exceeding 800,000. The Enfield fired bullets of .577 caliber the same distance as a Springfield, and the ammunition was interchangeable between the two. Externally, there were few differences.

Nevertheless, some officers felt a decided bias against the Enfield. "They are rough, and tear the men's hands to pieces when going through the manual (of arms)" one officer complained. Ordnance officers noted that the hand-finished parts of an Enfield did not interchange, as did those of a machine-made Springfield. Col. Joshua Chamberlain, commanding the 20th Maine regiment, noted the number of abandoned Springfields around his position on Little Round Top after the fighting there on 2 July, 1863, and instructed his men still using Enfields to exchange them for Springfields.

Atlanta Cutlery brings the antique civil war untouched rifle and also the authentic replica of the civil war weapons.

Atlanta Cutlery Corporation deals in various kinds of historical swords and sabers which include US army nco swords and officer's cavalry sabers beside these antique militaria which include antique guns and rifles.

Rate this Article:

5 / 5 stars - 1 vote(s)

Re-Publish

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/collecting-articles/civil-war-weapons-antique-rifles-and-guns-1338185.html

Article Tags: Civil War Weapons, Civil War Rifles, Antique Rifles, Civil War Guns

Related Videos
Related Articles
Ask / Related Q&A

Play

Learn about The U.S. Civil War 1861-1865 part 2

Play

Learn about The U.S. Civil War 1861-1865 part 1

Play

Learn about The Spanish Civil War and Revolution 1936-1939

Play

Learn about The Civil War 1861 - 1865

Play

Learn about The Civil War Map

Latest Collecting Articles
More from Atlanta Cutlery

Barry Bonds Rookie Cards - How to Buy and Collect Rookie Baseball Cards

By: Jon Larsen | 17/12/2009
One of the best baseball outfielders of his generation is Barry Bonds. He was the son of Bobby Bonds. He started his career on 1986 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Barry Bonds had a career worthy of the hall of fame well before the steroid accusations. Before the 1999 season, he had already surpassed the careers of many current people in the Hall of Fame.

Barry Bonds Rookie Cards - How to Buy and Collect Rookie Baseball Cards

Do You Collect Rambo Movie Knives?

By: Derek Silverman | 17/12/2009
Learn more about these amazing collectible items. Official Rambo movies knives are very popular among swords and knives collectors, learn more about them here!

Willow Tree Figurines Gaining Much Popularity

By: kajanova | 17/12/2009
Willow Tree Figurines make great gifts for any occasion. They are great collectibles and are gaining much popularity among those who enjoy collecting figurines.

Collecting sports memorabilia

By: Suzanne Greenfield | 16/12/2009
There’s a whole industry built on the sale of merchandise relating to sports; supporting your favourite team or sportsperson doesn’t just mean going to see them play and cheering them on, these days it means wearing the latest shirt, buying the latest products and generally looking like a walking billboard advertising your favourite team or player!

The various ways of collecting celebrity signatures

By: Suzanne Greenfield | 16/12/2009
Autographs and signatures of our favourite celebrities have always been in demand. It might seem like a strange thing to want but the appeal lies in having just a little piece of the star you really admire, it might be a photograph or a film still signed by a movie star or a football autographed by your favourite team, whatever it is you know the person has handled the item and signed it personally.

Gold and Silver Coin Investing For Your Future

By: D. L. Crane | 15/12/2009
There is an increasing interest in investing, and many people are turning to the gold and silver coin investments. Coins have been confirmed to be the safest way to invest in gold and silver. Like any investment there will always be risks, but now investing in this way may show to be more valuable than investing in bars or bullion.

Gold and Silver Coin Investing For Your Future

Civil War Swords

By: Atlanta Cutlery | 14/10/2009 | Collecting
The Swords carried by American soldiers for over 70 years; a period which included the Mexican War, Civil War and Spanish American War.

British & Nepalese Military Antique Firearm

By: Atlanta Cutlery | 14/10/2009 | Collecting
Atlanta Cutlery announces the artifacts from the lost arsenal of British & Nepalese military antique firearm collection in as-is condition. These weapons, spanning from 1816-1945, were discovered in the royal palace of Lagan Silekhana in Nepal, showed the most important developments in firearms history.