The "Back-Loading" Rifles
Sharps Carbine
Breech-loading rifles was the weapon that ultimately changed and revolutionized warfare. The Civil War is called the "first modern war" for many reasons; one of these reasons is because of breech-loading rifles. Breech-loading rifles loaded their bullets at the back of the gun. The rifle was usually a muzzle loader, which was loaded at the front of the gun barrel. Using a breech-loading gun, ammunition could be loaded much faster and shots could be fired at the enemy much quicker. In addition, these rifles could have multiple bullets loaded into them at one time. Realizing this, both the Union and Confederate armies scrambled to equip their armies with breech-loading rifles. However, manufacturing difficulties prevented many of these innovative weapons to be distributed. Most soldiers were left with older muzzle loading rifles. Many different breech-loading rifle models were used during the Civil War. The more well known ones are the following: Sharps Carbine, Spencer repeating rifle, Henry repeating rifle, Burnside carbine, Starr carbine, Colt revolving rifle.
The Sharps carbine was a fast breech-loading rifle that was extremely accurate and had a high firepower. It was in high demand throughout the war. It was usually the Union sniper's weapon of choice, due to its high rate of fire (up to around 10 rounds per minute. A muzzle loading sniper could get only 2 rounds per minute.) and its effective range (up to 1000 yards). About 90,000 were used by the Union. Confederate soldiers did capture many models and attempted to replicate them, but they were only able to make a crude copy that did not work very well (they had a tendency to blow up in the soldier's hands).
The Spencer repeating rifle and the Henry repeating rifle are both lever-action breech loading rifles. "Lever action" means that there is a lever built into the rifle that would load the next bullet in the firing mechanism. Both these rifles were used by cavalry because they fired so quickly. A trained soldier could squeeze off 20 to 30 rounds per minute. A longer version of the Spencer repeating rifle was manufactured to meet the needs of a sniper. By 1865, about 48,000 Spencer repeating rifles had been made. Only about 10,000 Henry repeating rifles were made during the war.
The Colt revolving rifle was manufactured by Colt and was based off of a pistol design. It retained the 5-shot cylinder and maintained a high rate of fire. However, the loading process was awkward and slow. Despite the drawbacks, the Colt revolving rifle distinguished itself at the Battle of Chickamauga where 535 Union troops were able to repel 5 enemy charges and shot about 43,550 rounds. A captured Confederate soldier, after facing these weapons, exclaimed, "My God, we thought you were a whole division out there!" A shorter version of the Colt revolving rifle was also produced for cavalry use.
The Burnside carbine and the Starr carbine both were used during the Civil War. Unfortunately, both suffered major drawbacks that prevented their widespread use. The Burnside carbine used a special cartridge for its firing mechanism, limiting its effective use. About 55,000 Burnside carbines were produced during the Civil War. The Starr carbine was a single-shot breech-loading rifle meant for cavalry, but its delicate parts broke easily and was not very useful because of its complex mechanisms.
The Sharps carbine was a fast breech-loading rifle that was extremely accurate and had a high firepower. It was in high demand throughout the war. It was usually the Union sniper's weapon of choice, due to its high rate of fire (up to around 10 rounds per minute. A muzzle loading sniper could get only 2 rounds per minute.) and its effective range (up to 1000 yards). About 90,000 were used by the Union. Confederate soldiers did capture many models and attempted to replicate them, but they were only able to make a crude copy that did not work very well (they had a tendency to blow up in the soldier's hands).
The Spencer repeating rifle and the Henry repeating rifle are both lever-action breech loading rifles. "Lever action" means that there is a lever built into the rifle that would load the next bullet in the firing mechanism. Both these rifles were used by cavalry because they fired so quickly. A trained soldier could squeeze off 20 to 30 rounds per minute. A longer version of the Spencer repeating rifle was manufactured to meet the needs of a sniper. By 1865, about 48,000 Spencer repeating rifles had been made. Only about 10,000 Henry repeating rifles were made during the war.
The Colt revolving rifle was manufactured by Colt and was based off of a pistol design. It retained the 5-shot cylinder and maintained a high rate of fire. However, the loading process was awkward and slow. Despite the drawbacks, the Colt revolving rifle distinguished itself at the Battle of Chickamauga where 535 Union troops were able to repel 5 enemy charges and shot about 43,550 rounds. A captured Confederate soldier, after facing these weapons, exclaimed, "My God, we thought you were a whole division out there!" A shorter version of the Colt revolving rifle was also produced for cavalry use.
The Burnside carbine and the Starr carbine both were used during the Civil War. Unfortunately, both suffered major drawbacks that prevented their widespread use. The Burnside carbine used a special cartridge for its firing mechanism, limiting its effective use. About 55,000 Burnside carbines were produced during the Civil War. The Starr carbine was a single-shot breech-loading rifle meant for cavalry, but its delicate parts broke easily and was not very useful because of its complex mechanisms.