Weapons of the Civil War

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Mortar

13-inch seacoast mortar M. 1861

13-inch seacoast mortar M. 1861

This massive Civil War-era mortar was designed to launch heavy projectiles over long distances to devastate fortifications. It was stationary and typically used in coastal or siege defenses. Its large shells caused significant destruction and psychological impact on enemy forces.

Muzzleloading Cannon

M1857 12-pounder Napoleon

M1857 12-pounder Napoleon

A smoothbore cannon used extensively during the American Civil War by both Union and Confederate forces. It was favored for its reliability, range, and ability to fire both explosive shells and solid shot.
3-inch Ordnance Rifle, Model 1861

3-inch Ordnance Rifle, Model 1861

wrought iron field gun used by the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was known for its accuracy and durability, and it fired 3-inch caliber projectiles, making it effective in both direct and indirect fire.

Hand-Cranked Machine Gun

Billinghurst Requa Battery gun

Billinghurst Requa Battery gun

The Billinghurst Requa Battery gun was an early volley gun used during the American Civil War. It consisted of multiple barrels mounted together, capable of firing in a simultaneous burst. Though innovative, its practical battlefield use was limited due to its cumbersome size and setup requirements.
Agar Gun

Agar Gun

The Agar Gun, nicknamed the "Coffee Mill Gun," was an early crank-operated machine gun used during the American Civil War. It demonstrated the potential of rapid-fire weapons but was limited by overheating and logistical challenges.

Muzzle-Loading Pistol

M1855 Dragoon Pistol

M1855 Dragoon Pistol

A single-shot, percussion cap pistol used by U.S. dragoons and mounted troops. It was part of the transition period from flintlock to percussion firearms, featuring a .58 caliber rifled barrel.

Revolver

Colt 1860 Army Revolver

Colt 1860 Army Revolver

A percussion revolver widely used during the American Civil War. It was the most widely used sidearm by Union forces and was known for its accuracy and reliability.
1847 Colt Walker

1847 Colt Walker

A large, powerful revolver designed by Samuel Colt for the U.S. Army. Chambered in .44 caliber, it was used in the Mexican-American War and became a symbol of the American West. Its heavy weight and high stopping power made it a formidable weapon.
Colt 1851 Navy Revolver

Colt 1851 Navy Revolver

A popular cap-and-ball revolver designed by Samuel Colt. It was used extensively by both military and civilian users in the mid-19th century, including during the American Civil War. The revolver was known for its accuracy and became one of Colt's most successful models.
LeMat Revolver

LeMat Revolver

A unique Civil War-era revolver, notable for its additional central barrel that fired a shotgun round. It was favored by Confederate officers for its increased firepower.
Remington 1858 Revolver

Remington 1858 Revolver

A popular single-action, percussion cap revolver used during the American Civil War. Known for its sturdy frame and reliable design, it was chambered in .44 or .36 caliber and featured an easily removable cylinder for faster reloading.

Carbine

Smith Carbine

Smith Carbine

A breech-loading carbine used by Union cavalry during the American Civil War. It fired .50 caliber paper cartridges and was valued for its reliability and rapid rate of fire. The weapon was easy to maintain and popular with mounted troops.

Infantry Rifle

Sharps Model 1859

Sharps Model 1859

The Sharps Model 1859 was a breech-loading rifle widely used during the American Civil War by Union forces. Known for its accuracy and reliability, it was employed by sharpshooters and cavalry units. Its innovative design allowed for quick reloading, giving it an edge over traditional muzzle-loaders.
Sharps Model 1863

Sharps Model 1863

The Sharps Model 1863 was an updated version of the Model 1859, featuring minor design improvements for increased durability and efficiency. It was heavily used during the Civil War, particularly by Union cavalry and marksmen. Its breech-loading mechanism made it a favorite for its speed and ease of operation.
Joslyn rifle

Joslyn rifle

The Joslyn rifle was one of the earliest breech-loading rifles adopted by the U.S. military during the Civil War. Its simple mechanism allowed soldiers to fire faster than traditional muzzle-loaders. While not as widespread as other rifles, it provided a glimpse into the future of firearm technology.
Spencer repeating rifle

Spencer repeating rifle

The Spencer rifle was a revolutionary lever-action firearm that introduced repeating fire to the battlefield during the Civil War. It could hold seven rounds in its tubular magazine, significantly increasing the rate of fire. It was widely praised for its reliability and played a pivotal role in Union victories.

Musket

M1842 Springfield Musket

M1842 Springfield Musket

The first U.S. musket to be manufactured with interchangeable parts. It was a .69 caliber, smoothbore, percussion firearm widely used during the Mexican-American War and early Civil War.

Rifled Musket

1863 Remington Zouave Rifle

1863 Remington Zouave Rifle

A percussion rifle used during the American Civil War. It was known for its accuracy and was one of the last muzzle-loading rifles produced by the U.S. government.
1861 Springfield

1861 Springfield

An American rifle-musket used extensively during the Civil War. The Springfield was a .58 caliber muzzle-loading rifle that was the most widely used Union infantry weapon. Known for its accuracy and range, it played a significant role in Civil War battles.
M1854 Lorenz

M1854 Lorenz

A widely used Austrian muzzle-loading rifled musket, employed in several European conflicts including the American Civil War. It was praised for its accuracy and was one of the last major muzzle-loading rifles before the shift to breech-loading systems.

Sniper Rifle

Whitworth M1857 rifle

Whitworth M1857 rifle

The Whitworth rifle was a British-made, hexagonal-barreled firearm renowned for its extreme accuracy at long ranges. It was used in limited numbers by Confederate sharpshooters during the Civil War. Its advanced rifling and precision made it one of the first sniper rifles in military history.

Artillery Briquet

M1832 Artillery Sword

M1832 Artillery Sword

A short sword issued to U.S. artillerymen, featuring a straight, double-edged blade. It was used more as a tool than as a combat weapon, serving for both defense and practical tasks.

Cavalry Saber

US 1860 Light Cavalry Saber

US 1860 Light Cavalry Saber

A sword used by the U.S. cavalry during the American Civil War. It was light and maneuverable, making it well-suited for mounted combat. The blade was slightly curved, designed for slashing, and it became the standard-issue saber for Union cavalrymen.
M1840 Cavalry Saber

M1840 Cavalry Saber

"A sword used by U.S. cavalry troops, commonly referred to as the ""Old Wristbreaker"" due to its heavy weight. It features a curved, single-edged blade designed for slashing attacks while on horseback."

Officer Sword

US M1840 NCO sword

US M1840 NCO sword

The US M1840 NCO Sword was a straight-bladed weapon issued to non-commissioned officers in the mid-19th century. It was primarily a symbol of authority but also saw limited combat use during the Civil War.
US M1850 Staff & Field Officer Sword

US M1850 Staff & Field Officer Sword

The US M1850 Staff & Field Officer Sword was a decorative yet functional weapon issued to American officers during the Civil War. Its intricate design reflected the prestige of its holders while remaining suitable for battlefield use.