WEAPONRY OF THE CIVIL WAR

GUNS OF THE WAR

SPRINGFIELD RIFLE

• Designed in 1855
• Used the minié ball and was very accurate from long distances
• Used by both the union and the confederacy
• Standard weapon for infantry in the war
• Most common rifle in the war

THE COLT DRAGOON RIFLE

• Designed in 1848 by Samuel Colt
• Very popular in the civil war
• Was first issued to U.S Army's mounted rifles (infantry who rode on horse)

BLADES OF THE WAR

MODEL 1832 DRAGOON SABER

• Issued to Cavalry
• 34 inch blade
• Leather grip has a leather core with dragon wire which is how it got its name
• Curved blade

BOWIE KNIFE

• 8-12 inches long
• Mostly used by the confederacy
• Was slowly replaced by bayonet
• Was multi-purpose

AMMO AND MISCELLANEOUS

miNiÉ BALL

• Created by Claude-Etienne Minié in 1849
• Expanded and spun in barrel which increased accuracy
• Smaller than older bullets
• Hollow at
• Hollow base and cylindrical shape with conical end
• Was easier to load than older ammunition

KETCHUM HAND GRENADE

• Hard paper fins for better flight
• Used mostly during sieges
• Used by the union
• Largely ineffective because the grenade had to land on its nose

ARTILLERY AND CANNONS

12 POUNDER HOWITZER

• 9 lb projectiles
• Was lighter than other cannons at under 800 lbs Had an effective range of 1072 yards
• Required 6 horses to pull

M1857 NAPOLEON 12 POUNDER

• Most common cannon in the war
• Was used by both the union and the confederacy
• Weight:1230 lbs
• Made of iron, steel, and bronze
• Effective from 1619 yards