1)
Standard ammunition for these stats is a round ball fired from a smooth or
mildly-rifled (very slow twist)
barrel.
2) A
standard ammunition “case” for blackpowder rounds consists of enough balls and
powder for 50 shots of ammunition.
3)
“Cases” of balls and shot weight 2 kg per “case: One measure of powder weighs
0.02 kg, and one ball weighs 0.02 kg. Magnum powder loads take 2 loads of powder
per shot. A Minie Ball weighs 0.05
kg per shot. A rifled ball weighs
0.03 kg per shot.
4)
Use base range, and increase rifled weapons’ range by 1.5 times; however,
increase loading times by two steps (so 1/6 would become 1/8). This is for
rifled balls only, and simulates the difficulty in ramming the ball down the
barrel. Such a weapon can also fire
standard balls; in this case, the increase in damage and range does not apply.
5)
This increase in loading time does not apply to inline firearms or rifles firing
Minie Ball or similar types of rounds.
If something like a Minie Ball or inline rifle is used, double range
(ranges for inlines will already be doubled in the stats below).
6) If
a blackpowder weapon has a rifled barrel and is designed for rifled balls,
increase cost by 1.5 times. If
designed for something like a Minie Ball, increase costs by 1.9 times.
(Inlines double costs, but this is already figured in the stats below.)
7) If
a blackpowder weapon is designed to fire rifled balls, increase range by 1.5
times.
8) If
the weapon is an inline or designed to fire Minie Ball-type rounds, double
range.
9)
Some rifles are stressed for magnum loads, and are given in the stats below, If
a magnum load is loaded into a non-magnum firearm (standard loads are designed
to take a man down), increase damage by one point and go the next level of
penetration, but the weapon is 5% likely (cumulative) to be damaged per shot.
10)
Buck-and-ball shots give two extra 1d6-damage rounds per shot and the extra
balls otherwise act like a shotguns and use shotgun rules, but range is reduced
to 0.75 times normal.
11)
Weapons given in their description as “rifles” will have their range adjusted in
the stats, unless stated otherwise in the description.
These
rules are preliminary, especially the weight figures for powder and balls.
1763/1766/1777 Charleville Musket
Notes: This
Musket is a modern reproduction of Charleville Musket produced for several
decades in the 1700s. Today, it is
sold through Cabela’s, Dixie Gun Works, and Navy Arms.
It comes in several barrel lengths, but is unwieldy in any form.
The stock is a straight-wristed stock, with a modicum of room to shoulder
the weapon and furnished with a flintlock mechanism.
Furniture is of hardwood and metal parts are of polished steel.
Sights consist of brass studs above the barrel and action, but these are
low and not very precision sights.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Charleville Musket (44” Barrel) |
.69 Blackpowder |
3.7 kg |
1 Internal |
$278 |
Charleville Musket (44.5” Barrel) |
.69 Blackpowder |
3.96 kg |
1 Internal |
$387 |
Charleville Musket (44.75” Barrel) |
.69 Blackpowder |
3.97 kg |
1 Internal |
$388 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Charleville Musket (44”) |
1/12 |
2 |
1-Nil |
9 |
3 |
Nil |
36 |
Charleville Musket (44.5”) |
1/12 |
5 |
2-3-Nil |
10 |
5 |
Nil |
46 |
Charleville Musket (44.75”) |
1/12 |
5 |
2-3-Nil |
10 |
4 |
Nil |
48 |
1803
Harper’s Ferry Rifle
Notes: this is a
modern reproduction of the old Harper’s Ferry Rifle, and is sold today through a
number of outlets such as Dixie Gun Works and Navy Arms.
The Harper’s Ferry Rifle is a faithful reproduction of the old version,
with an old stock design of walnut and a holder at the bottom of the barrel in
the fore-end for the ramrod.
Ignition is by flintlock, and the stock widens into a half-stock ahead somewhere
between a quarter and a third of the way down the barrel. Metalwork (except for
the barrel) is largely of brass, though the lock and trigger are of color
case-hardened steel, and the ramrod of steel.
The barrel is semi-heavy; it starts as a heavy octagonal barrel, but
tapers to a round barrel towards the muzzle.
Sights essentially consist of a raised nib above the muzzle.
Barrels can be had in either 35 inches or 35.5 inches.
The Harper’s Ferry Rifle is designed to fire rifled balls (this is in the
stats below).
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Harper’s Ferry Rifle (35” Barrel) |
.54 Blackpowder |
3.86 kg |
1 Internal |
$612 |
Harper’s Ferry Rifle (35.5” Barrel) |
.54 Blackpowder |
4.31 kg |
1 Internal |
$620 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Harper’s Ferry Rifle (35”) |
1/8 |
3 |
2-Nil |
8 |
3 |
Nil |
74 |
Harper’s Ferry Rifle (35.5”) |
1/8 |
3 |
2-Nil |
8 |
3 |
Nil |
75 |
1855
British Pattern Sharps
Notes: In the
mid-19th Century, Great Britain was basically the major arms dealer
of the time. Also known as the
“Yankee Sharps,” the 1855 British Pattern Sharps was tested extensively by the
US military; 12 rifles were basically shot to death, after which the War
Department deemed them fit for its troops and a major order was made.
Large amounts of these rifles served on both sides of the Civil War,
though they were in the process of being replaced by the Union.
The .577 round was the British service cartridge of the time, and that
was what the 1855 British Pattern Sharps was chambered in.
Ignition was by the Maynard tape system; this used a roll of nipple
primers that were advanced along by the shooter to prime each round.
Though it sounds innovative, the fact was that the tape got soggy in the
elements and soldiers often found themselves priming the rifle normally, one
nipple at a time, like any other rifle.
The soggy tapes were also a good way to lose primers, by having them drop
off due to the wetness of the tape.
No one knows why the War Department was willing to go along with the Maynard
tape system, but probably since they had made such a large investment, they felt
obligated to use the rifle and its deficient tape system.
Early 1855
Sharps rifles were easy to load, due to exacting tolerances.
These were manufactured primarily by the British, with some US license
production. Later construction
became a bit sloppy, and they became harder to load cleanly, because the paper
part of the cartridge would wad up unevenly.
There were three barrel lengths to the 1855 Sharps -- a short 19.15
inches, a longer 21.25 inches, and a long 39 inches, all round barrels.
The first two resulted from the War Department order, while the third and
longest was primarily used by civilian hunters and to a small extent,
sharpshooters. Stocks are of
walnut; both British and American walnut can be found.
Sights are a ladder-type rear and a small, round blade front.
Metalwork is blued.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
1855 Sharps (19.15” Barrel) |
.577 Blackpowder |
3.35 kg |
1 Internal |
$363 |
1855 Sharps (21.25” Barrel) |
.577 Blackpowder |
3.43 kg |
1 Internal |
$395 |
1855 Sharps (39” Barrel) |
.577 Blackpowder |
4.02 kg |
1 Internal |
$893 |
Weapon |
ROF* |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
1855 Sharps (19.15” Barrel) |
1/5 |
4 |
2-Nil |
5 |
4 |
Nil |
58 |
1855 Sharps (21.25” Barrel) |
1/5 |
4 |
2-Nil |
6 |
4 |
Nil |
64 |
1855 Sharps (39” Barrel) |
1/5 |
4 |
2-Nil |
9 |
4 |
Nil |
111 |
*This
is when the Maynard Tape System is working.
If it isn’t (or the shooter is simply using individual nipples), ROF is
1/6.
1859
Sharps
Notes: This is a
modern reproduction of a pre-Civil War rifled musket designed to fire Minie
Ball-type projectiles; the stats below reflect this.
These modern reproductions are sold by Dixie Gun Works, Navy Arms, and
Taylor’s. Construction is largely
of steel (better-quality steel than was available in 1859) and the gun has a
silver blade front sight and a flip-up rear sight.
The barrel has a blued finish and most of the rest of the external
metalwork has a color case-hardened finish.
The fore-end has three military-type bands (except on the carbine, which
has one). Though not standard, a
double set trigger is available.
This reproduction of the 1859 Sharps is available, like the original in two
forms: a rifle version, with a 30-inch barrel, and a carbine version, with a
22-inch barrel. Lockwork and
ignition is by percussion.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
1859 Sharps Rifle |
.54 Blackpowder Minie Ball |
4.2 kg |
1 Internal |
$644 |
1859 Sharps Carbine |
.54 Blackpowder Minie Ball |
3.63 kg |
1 Internal |
$608 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
1859 Sharps Rifle |
1/6 |
3 |
2-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
67 |
1859 Sharps Carbine |
1/6 |
3 |
2-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
89 |
1861
Springfield
Notes: This is a
faithful reproduction of the rifle that armed so many sharpshooter Union troops
at the beginning of the Civil War.
These reproductions are sold by Dixie Gun Works, Pedersoli, Navy Arms, and
Taylor’s. As such, the furniture is walnut; however, in a bow to modern
manufacturing methods, the steel used in this reproduction’s manufacture is of
better quality than that used so long ago.
The barrel is of natural metal finish, as is most of the metalwork.
This rifle has sling swivels, and a very long rifled 40-inch barrel
(which is reflected in the stats below, so no adjustments are necessary).
This reproduction is designed for Minie Ball-type projectiles (or modern
equivalents of them). The 1861 Springfield reproduction is drilled and tapped
for a scope; however, the type of scope the drilling and taping is designed for
is a reproduction of scopes of the period, and a modern scope (or any other
optics) will not fit in this drilling and tapping. Reproduction scopes vary in
capabilities, but a standard sort of scope for the period is as long as much of
the length of the barrel and gives a magnification of about 3x. Ignition is by
percussion. The iron sights are a
steel blade in the front, and a 2-leaf rear for use at two different spreads of
ranges.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
1861 Springfield |
.58 Blackpowder Minie Ball |
3.97 kg |
1 Internal |
$1011 |
1861 Springfield (with Scope) |
.58 Blackpowder Minie Ball |
4.65 kg |
1 Internal |
$1211 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
1861 Springfield |
1/6 |
4 |
2-Nil |
9 |
4 |
Nil |
51 |
1863
Remington Zouave
Notes: Another
reproduction of a common Civil War weapon, this weapon is a musket and does not
have a rifled barrel. Like many
other such reproductions, it is sold by Dixie Gun Works, Navy Arms, and
Taylor’s. It has walnut furniture,
a brass plate on either side of the buttstock, a blued 33-inch barrel, and a
color case-hardened hammer, trigger, and lock.
The sights consist of a leaf rear and a blade front.
Ignition is by percussion.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Remington Zouave |
.58 Blackpowder |
4.31 kg |
1 Internal |
$287 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Remington Zouave |
1/6 |
4 |
2-Nil |
9 |
4 |
Nil |
34 |
1863
Sharps
Notes: This is a
reproduction of another common late-Civil War weapon, today sold by EMF, IAR,
and Taylor’s. The 1863 Sharps came
in several sizes from carbine to long rifle size.
The 1863 Sharps was sort of an intermediate step between cartridge
firearms and muzzleloading weapons – the 1863 Sharps was loaded by stuffing the
Minie Ball, powder, and wadding into the breech of the weapon instead of into
the muzzle and cramming it down, though ignition is by percussion.
This made it very easy to make the 1863 Sharps a rifled weapon, which is
taken into account in the figures below and no conversions are necessary.
In addition, this reduced the loading
time of the 1863 Sharps. Features
of the reproduction version are walnut furniture, a blade front sight, and a
rear notch sight which is dovetailed in and therefore allows for limited windage
adjustments. Regardless of barrel
length (which may be 22, 28, 30, or 32 inches), the barrel is an octagonal heavy
barrel. The reproduction also has a
set trigger, which some versions of the original 1863 Sharps had.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
1863 Sharps (22” Barrel) |
.50 Blackpowder Minie Ball |
3.74 kg |
1 Internal |
$521 |
1863 Sharps (22” Barrel) |
.54 Blackpowder Minie Ball |
3.85 kg |
1 Internal |
$529 |
1863 Sharps (28” Barrel) |
.50 Blackpowder Minie Ball |
3.98 kg |
1 Internal |
$644 |
1863 Sharps (28” Barrel) |
.54 Blackpowder Minie Ball |
4.1 kg |
1 Internal |
$650 |
1863 Sharps (30” Barrel) |
.50 Blackpowder Minie Ball |
4.06 kg |
1 Internal |
$684 |
1863 Sharps (30” Barrel) |
.54 Blackpowder Minie Ball |
4.18 kg |
1 Internal |
$692 |
1863 Sharps (32” Barrel) |
.50 Blackpowder Minie Ball |
4.13 kg |
1 Internal |
$725 |
1863 Sharps (32” Barrel) |
.54 Blackpowder Minie Ball |
4.25 kg |
1 Internal |
$733 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
1863 Sharps (22” Barrel, .50) |
1/5 |
3 |
1-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
80 |
1863 Sharps (22” Barrel, .54) |
1/5 |
3 |
2-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
83 |
1863 Sharps (28” Barrel, .50) |
1/5 |
3 |
1-Nil |
7 |
2 |
Nil |
101 |
1863 Sharps (28” Barrel, .54) |
1/5 |
3 |
2-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
105 |
1863 Sharps (30” Barrel, .50) |
1/5 |
3 |
1-Nil |
7 |
2 |
Nil |
105 |
1863 Sharps (30” Barrel, .54) |
1/5 |
3 |
2-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
111 |
1863 Sharps (32” Barrel, .50) |
1/5 |
3 |
1-Nil |
7 |
2 |
Nil |
111 |
1863 Sharps (32” Barrel, .54) |
1/5 |
3 |
2-Nil |
8 |
3 |
Nil |
117 |
3-Band/2-Band Enfield Musket
Notes: This is
another modern reproduction of an old weapon, this time an unrifled musket
commonly used by British troops during the American Revolution and Napoleonic
Wars. Whether the fore-end has two
or three retaining bands depends on the barrel length; in general, shorter
barrels use two bands, and longer barrels use three.
This reproduction faithfully reproduces the stock style and shape, and
the stock/furniture is of walnut.
Barrels are 31.5”, 33”, 39”, or 40”, and are blued and tapered.
Most other metalwork is brass.
The Enfield Musket has a steel blade front sight and a flip up rear sight
is adjustable, though accuracy with an unrifled musket is questionable.
Ignition is by percussion.
Modern reproductions are made by a variety of companies both in the US and
overseas and sold by Dixie Gun Works, Navy Arms, and Taylor’s.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Enfield Musket (31.5”) |
.58 Blackpowder |
3.76 kg |
1 Internal |
$376 |
Enfield Musket (33”) |
.58 Blackpowder |
3.87 kg |
1 Internal |
$391 |
Enfield Musket (39”) |
.58 Blackpowder |
4.24 kg |
1 Internal |
$436 |
Enfield Musket (40”) |
.58 Blackpowder |
4.3 kg |
1 Internal |
$464 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Enfield Musket (31.5”) |
1/6 |
4 |
2-Nil |
7 |
5 |
Nil |
32 |
Enfield Musket (33”) |
1/6 |
4 |
2-Nil |
8 |
4 |
Nil |
34 |
Enfield Musket (39”) |
1/6 |
4 |
2-Nil |
9 |
4 |
Nil |
40 |
Enfield Musket (40”) |
1/6 |
4 |
2-Nil |
9 |
4 |
Nil |
42 |
AH
Waters Contract Musket Model 1842
Made in Milbury,
MA, this musket is based on the Springfield Model 1842, but produce3d in the
private Armory of AH Waters, with less than 100 produced for friends and family;
later, they were given up to a Massachusetts company just forming.
They were produced in roughly 1844 and 1845.
The Type I had an iron buttplate, while the Type II
had a highly fancy engraved brass buttplate known as a Sea Fencible
buttplate. Most of the Type I metalwork was dull iron, while the Type II had
all-brass metalwork. The Type I and
II were identical for game purposes. In both cases, the steel 42-inch barrel was
finished brown.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
AH Waters Contract Musket |
.69 Blackpowder |
4.69 kg |
1 Internal |
$199 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
AH Waters Contract Musket |
1/6 |
5 |
2-3-Nil |
8 |
5 |
Nil |
35 |
Austrian Model 1842 Long Rifle
Notes: Used in
the American Civil War early in the conflict by some Union units, the Model 1842
was huge -- .70-caliber musket ball, and over 147 centimeters in length.
As sold, the Model 1842 fired using an unrifled bore, but later in the
war, they were rifles and changed to firing Minie Balls.
There were three models, Infantry, Cadet, and Engineer's.
This and the change to a rifled bore made for a total of six models. They
original used a flintlock ignition, but this was quickly changed to a percussion
ignition. Minie Ball-firing rifled
variants make three more, for a total of nine subtypes. The Infantry Models'
barrels were an astounding 43.5 inches long.
The cadet model had a 40.125-inch barrel; the engineer model had a
36.375-inch barrel.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Austrian Model 42 (Infantry Model, Unrifled) |
.71 Blackpowder |
5.02 kg |
1 Internal |
$254 |
Austrian Model 42 (Cadet Model, Unrifled) |
.71 Blackpowder |
4.79 kg |
1 Internal |
$237 |
Austrian Model 42 (Engineer Model, Unrifled) |
.71 Blackpowder |
4.54 kg |
1 Internal |
$218 |
Austrian Model 42 (Infantry Model, Rifled) |
.71 Blackpowder |
5.02 kg |
1 Internal |
$401 |
Austrian Model 42 (Cadet Model, Rifled) |
.71 Blackpowder |
4.79 kg |
1 Internal |
$381 |
Austrian Model 42 (Engineer Model, Rifled) |
.71 Blackpowder |
4.54 kg |
1 Internal |
$326 |
Austrian Model 42 (Infantry Model, Minie Ball) |
.71 Blackpowder |
5.02 kg |
1 Internal |
$483 |
Austrian Model 42 (Cadet Model, Minie Ball) |
.71 Blackpowder |
4.79 kg |
1 Internal |
$450 |
Austrian Model 42 (Engineer Model, Minie Ball) |
.71 Blackpowder |
4.54 kg |
1 Internal |
$392 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Austrian Model 42 (Infantry, Unrifled) |
1/7 |
5 |
2-4-Nil |
10 |
5 |
Nil |
46 |
Austrian Model 42 (Cadet, Unrifled) |
1/7 |
5 |
2-4-Nil |
9 |
5 |
Nil |
43 |
Austrian Model 42 (Engineer, Unrifled) |
1/7 |
5 |
2-4-Nil |
8 |
5 |
Nil |
39 |
Austrian Model 42 (Infantry, Rifled) |
1/7 |
5 |
2-4-Nil |
10 |
5 |
Nil |
69 |
Austrian Model 42 (Cadet, Rifled) |
1/7 |
5 |
2-4-Nil |
9 |
5 |
Nil |
64 |
Austrian Model 42 (Engineer, Rifled) |
1/7 |
5 |
2-4-Nil |
8 |
5 |
Nil |
59 |
Austrian Model 42 (Infantry, Minie) |
1/7 |
5 |
2-4-Nil |
10 |
5 |
Nil |
88 |
Austrian Model 42 (Cadet, Minie) |
1/7 |
5 |
2-4-Nil |
9 |
5 |
Nil |
77 |
Austrian Model 42 (Engineer, Minie) |
1/7 |
5 |
2-4-Nil |
8 |
5 |
Nil |
70 |
Austrian Model 1849 Long Rifle
Notes: Though
labeled a long rifle, the Model 1849's barrel is relatively short at 36.38
inches. It is a modification of the Model 1842, and fired Minie Balls.
The Austrians sold/smuggled thousands to Giuseppe Garibaldi's rebels in
Italy; so many that this rifle is often called a Garibaldi Rifle. 26,201 were
also sold to the Union forces in the Civil War, where they too were often
referred to as Garibaldi Rifles.
The barrel is browned and is octagonal, tapering to round.
When transferred to the Union, they were fitted with a new breech and
bolster, as many were worn out. The
rifling was also re-done. There
were many more 1849 rifles in the Civil War than Model 1842s. The Minie Ball
fired by this rifle is huge, and
dealt horrible wounds.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Model 1849 Long Rifle |
.71 Minie Ball |
5.59 kg |
1 Internal |
$533 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Model 1849 Long Rifle |
1/7 |
5 |
2-4-Nil |
9 |
5 |
Nil |
110 |
Austrian Model 1854 Long Rifle
Notes: A
smaller-caliber and much lighter version of the Model 1849, these rifles were
referred to as Lorenz Rifles after their designer
at the Vienna National Armory.
The barrel is smaller at 39.375 inches, and this makes the entire rifle
smaller. (Of course, the massive
damage of a Garibaldi Rifle was lost...) The Lorenz Rifle was used by both sides
in the American Civil War, and during the war, it replaced the Garibaldi Rifle
on the Union side. The Union side
referred to them as Lorenz Rifle-Muskets, and bought at least 250,000 of them;
the Confederate side simply called them Lorenz Rifles, and bought 100,000 of
them. Metalwork finish is bright
iron, with a browned barrel; wood used is European Walnut.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Model 1854 Long Rifle |
.54 Minie Ball |
4.55 kg |
1 Internal |
$472 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Model 1849 Long Rifle |
1/7 |
3 |
2-Nil |
9 |
3 |
Nil |
103 |
Baker
Rifle
Notes:
Officially known as the Pattern 1800 Infantry Rifle, the Baker Rifle became one
of the official British Infantry weapons.
The British Army had seen officers laid low left and right in the
American Revolution, and in fighting Europe and India.
They had also seen the power of American rifles in the hands of
relatively untrained (though disciplined) troops.
Development began soon after the American Revolution, and continued until
and through 1800 and the Napoleonic Wars. The rifle is named after the first to
give a (partially) effective design, Ezekiel Baker.
COL Coote
Manningham was hands on from the beginning. Baker’s design was based on Prussian
rifles, the parts of which required precise and meticulous machining.
Manningham suggested the Prussian Jager Rifle as an example, but the
result was a rifle that was too heavy for British Infantry standards.
The third design was a start-from-scratch; it was essentially a standard
Infantry Musket with a rifled barrel. It was .75-caliber and has 8 grooves in
its 32-inch bore; this was given the title of Provisional Infantry Rifle and
issue started, but Manningham suggested that Baker shorten the barrel by two
inches and neck down to .625-caliber.
Operation was by
flintlock; the weapon looked good in trial, but in practice, talking a ball,
powder and wadding down a deeply-rifled 30-inch barrel could take considerable
forcing and gritting of the teeth; at first, troops using the new rifle were
issued small mallets, until stronger ramrods were made.
(And this only got worse as the grooves got fouled!) The stock had a
raised cheekpiece to put the soldier into as natural position as possible.
The cock was swan-necked, and a ridiculous bayonet was issued for the
Baker Rifle; it was a “sword bayonet” – and a real shortsword, complete with
quillons and hilt guard! Like many “new” weapons of that time, it had a
compartment for storing oiled patches, cleaning compound, etc.
The major
variation was a carbine version with a 24-inch barrel, and one for the Duke of
Cumberland’s Corps of Sharpshooters with a 33-inch barrel. Other changes are,
for game terms, minor or aesthetic.
These are the
stats for a real Baker Rifle – I have not been able to discover whether anyone
is making reproductions or if there firing examples.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Baker Rifle |
.625 Blackpowder |
4.08 kg |
1 Internal |
$536 |
Baker Carbine |
.625 Blackpowder |
3.8 kg |
1 Internal |
$445 |
Baker Sharpshooter |
.625 Blackpowder |
4.15 kg |
1 Internal |
$583 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Baker Rifle |
1/7 |
4 |
2-3-Nil |
7 |
4 |
Nil |
91 |
Baker Carbine |
1/7 |
4 |
2-3-Nil |
6 |
4 |
Nil |
74 |
Baker Sharpshooter |
1/7 |
6 |
2-4-Nil |
8 |
4 |
Nil |
99 |
Ball
Repeating Carbine
Notes: This was meant to be one of the standard weapons of the Union Army. But
before any could be issued, the Civil War was over, and as a result only the
first batch of 1002 were taken into issue.
Designed by Albert Ball of Worcester, MA, Ball lacked the facilities to
manufacture his carbine and they were actually manufactured by Lamson & Company
of Windsor, Vermont (which also made Palmer carbines.
The operation was odd; the chamber was split into two parts, with the
lower version lifting the round into the upper chamber. This worked quite well
when new, but accuracy and jamming resulted when the parts became worn.
The .56-50 Spencer cartridge was designed for use by the Union Army, as
this was one of the new cartridges chosen by the government, but later
commercial sales were made, and for this purpose, the Ball Repeating Carbine was
chambered in .44 Long Rimfire cartridge.
Note that the Spencer is also a rimfire round. The magazine is a tubular
under-barrel magazine, and is actuated by a lever which doubles as a trigger
guard. The left side of the
receiver, attached to the receiver, is either a robust saddle ring or a sliding
lug. The carbine had a stock and fore-end are of walnut; the fore-end has a
two-thirds length. The drop on the
stock is very pronounced. I have not been able to discern whether there are
modern replicas of this carbine.
Notes: Though
the barrel is relatively very short, today a longarm with a 20.5-inch barrel
would be considered a full-size rifle. The barrel has a round profile and is
blued. The Ball uses a tubular magazine in the buttstock; the ejection port
doubles as a loading port for the magazine. The trigger guard is also used to
cock the rifle. The stock is in two pieces, joined by the action and receiver.
Metalwork was primarily blued, with the exception of the brass central barrel
band and the buttplate.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Ball Repeating Carbine |
.56-50 Spencer |
4.9 kg |
7 Tubular |
$498 |
Ball Repeating Carbine |
.44 Henry Rimfire |
4.22 kg |
7 Tubular |
$333 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Ball Repeating Carbine (.56-50) |
LA |
3 |
2-Nil |
6 |
2 |
Nil |
55 |
Ball Repeating Carbine (.44) |
LA |
2 |
1-Nil |
6 |
2 |
Nil |
50 |
Ballard Cartridge Rifle
Notes: Like many
such "variant" rifles which were not actually government issue in the Civil War,
the Ballard .44 was a falling block breechloading single-shot rifle fed by
metallic-cased cartridges (as in many such early rifles, rimfire). Though troops
had been buying such rifles with their own money since they became available (or
relatives back home shipped them to the troops), about 18,000 of these rifles
were bought by Kentucky to equip one division of troops.
They used a blued octagonal 30-inch barrel, with a front sight blade and
a rear adjustable leaf.
The remaining
versions differ primarily in caliber and minor details such as barrel bands and
bayonet socket. In addition, the Type II version of the .46-caliber rifle had a
slightly longer, 30.125-inch barrel.
A carbine
version of this rifle was also made, but few were actually made.
115 were actually delivered to the Kentucky Militia, and used on the
Confederate side during the Civil War.
These were built by Dwight & Chapin, who sent bankrupt before they could
make any more. Most of the rest
were built from 1863 onward, and were built by Ball & Williams.
Some were made from parts made by Dwight & Chapin; these carbines have
both Dwight & Chapin and Ball & Williams markings, though all the latter did was
to assemble the parts. It had only one iron barrel band, and the rear sight was
a folding leaf-type, with post front sight. It had a 20.69-inch round barrel.
The Ballard
Carbine, US Contract Type I was one of the first metallic cartridge rifles
deliberately the result of a request from the War Department, though only 1500
were produced. Most were produced for use by Kentucky units in March-August of
1864. It has a half-octagonal
barrel 20.31 inches long, which is blued (along with almost all of the
metalwork. The rear sight is a pierced leaf, and the front sight a dovetailed
blade.
The Ballard
Carbine, US Contract, Type II was for the most part similar to the Type I.
It has an interesting feature, however; a split breech block with a
percussion cap nipple, enabling the firing of metallic cartridges or Minie Ball
cartridges. Its barrel is 20.185 inches.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Ballard .44 Rifle |
.44 Ballard Rimfire (Blackpowder) |
3.86 kg |
1 Internal |
$386 |
Ballard .46 Rifle |
.46 Ballard Rimfire (Blackpowder) |
3.72 kg |
1 Internal |
$369 |
Ballard .46 Rifle (Type II) |
.46 Ballard Rimfire (Blackpowder) |
3.73 kg |
1 Internal |
$370 |
Ballard .54 Rifle |
.54 Ballard Rimfire (Blackpowder) |
3.82 kg |
1 Internal |
$421 |
Ballard Carbine |
.44 Ballard Rimfire (Blackpowder) |
3.18 kg |
1 Internal |
$529 |
Ballard Carbine, US Contract Type I |
.44 Ballard Rimfire (Blackpowder) |
3.19 kg |
1 Internal |
$528 |
Ballard Carbine, US Contract Type II |
.44 Ballard Rimfire (Blackpowder) |
3.25 kg |
1 Internal |
$527 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Ballard .44 Rifle |
SS |
3 |
1-Nil |
8 |
3 |
Nil |
87 |
Ballard .46 Rifle |
SS |
2 |
1-Nil |
7 |
2 |
Nil |
72 |
Ballard .46 Rifle (Type II) |
SS |
2 |
1-Nil |
7 |
2 |
Nil |
73 |
Ballard .54 Rifle |
SS |
4 |
2-3-Nil |
8 |
4 |
Nil |
90 |
Ballard Carbine |
SS |
3 |
1-Nil |
5 |
3 |
Nil |
55 |
Ballard Carbine, US Contract Type I |
SS |
3 |
1-Nil |
5 |
3 |
Nil |
55 |
Ballard Carbine, US Contract Type II |
SS |
3 |
1-Nil |
5 |
3 |
Nil |
54 |
Ballard Carbine, US Contract Type II (Minie Ball) |
1/4 |
2 |
1-Nil |
5 |
3 |
Nil |
47 |
Bavarian Model 1842 Rifled Musket
Notes:
It is a mystery just how these rifled muskets got into the hands of Union
troops during the Civil War. Their
construction was ordered by the Bavarian Foreign Minister
in Amberg. There was
considerable correspondence between the Foreign Minister and the US Secretary of
War. Though Union purchasing agent Marcellus Hartley commented in one of his
letters that Bavarian arms were available, no importation or purchase orders
have ever been uncovered.
These were
originally built as muskets, and later the barrels were rifled with a rather
tight rifling pattern. They became
the first percussion weapons made in Bavaria.
The barrel has three retaining bands; just behind the front one on top is
a blade front sight; the front band has a sling swivel on the bottom.
The rear sight is normally a simple notch mounted on an iron block, but
some with hinged rear leaf sights have been found.
Barrel length is
42.19 inches.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Bavarian Model 1842 |
.70 Blackpowder |
5.92 kg |
1 Internal |
$399 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Bavarian Model 1842 |
1/7 |
3 |
2-Nil |
10 |
3 |
Nil |
67 |
Black
Powder Products 209
Notes: The Model
209 is a modern take on the blackpowder rifle, an inline, which means that it is
breech-loaded. The stock is
synthetic; it is normally black, but can be bought with one of several
camouflage patterns. The breech
plug is stainless steel, and most of the rest of the metalwork is of modern
carbon steels. However, the ramrod
and cocking spur are of aircraft-quality aluminum.
Finish for the external metalwork may be blued or nickel-plated.
The standard sights are a fully adjustable rear sight and a front sight
that is drift-adjustable, dovetailed in so that it is removable, and has a
fiberoptic insert. The rear sight
is in the “scout” position, at about the center of mass of the rifle.
As this weapon is rifled, the range below takes this into account and do
not need to be modified.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Model 209 (24” Barrel) |
.45 Blackpowder |
2.72 kg |
1 Internal |
$1142 |
Model 209 (26” Barrel) |
.45 Blackpowder |
2.8 kg |
1 Internal |
$1220 |
Model 209 (29” Barrel) |
.45 Blackpowder |
2.91 kg |
1 Internal |
$1344 |
Model 209 (24” Barrel) |
.50 Blackpowder |
2.74 kg |
1 Internal |
$1158 |
Model 209 (26” Barrel) |
.50 Blackpowder |
2.82 kg |
1 Internal |
$1238 |
Model 209 (29” Barrel) |
.50 Blackpowder |
2.93 kg |
1 Internal |
$1292 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Model 209 (24” Barrel, .45) |
1/5 |
2 |
1-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
112 |
Model 209 (26” Barrel, .45) |
1/5 |
2 |
1-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
116 |
Model 209 (29” Barrel, .45) |
1/5 |
2 |
1-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
132 |
Model 209 (24” Barrel, .50) |
1/5 |
3 |
1-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
116 |
Model 209 (26” Barrel, .50) |
1/5 |
3 |
1-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
128 |
Model 209 (29” Barrel, .50) |
1/5 |
3 |
1-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
142 |
Bridesburg 1861 Rifle Musket
Notes: First,
let’s get this out of the way – this is a musket and is not rifled; some muskets
with long barrels were called rifles.
This was one of the primary battle rifles of the Union forces; it was
introduced in 1861 and reached a peak of 5000 units per month, enough that a
second factory was needed for production.
Bridesburg itself was a subcontractor of Springfield Arms.
The barrel was an astounding 40 inches long; sights consisted of a rear
two-leaf ladder-type sight and a peep sights for when the leaf sights were
folded or for close range shots.
The firing mechanism uses percussion.
Stock and fore-end construction was largely of black walnut and had an
enlarged stock and a more natural position for the wrist. The end of the stock
is curved to fit the shoulder and is capped by a serrated steel plate.
The external metalwork are all in bright natural metal.
When that new
factory was opened in 1863, Bridesburg took the opportunity to improve their
design. The weapon had three barrel retaining bands which were attached by
spring retainers, allowing the shooter to better remove and clean the weapon’s
barrel. There were also minor improvements to the hammer, rear sight. For game
purposes, it is identical to the 1861 model.
Even with the second
factory, Bridesburg found it necessary to farm out manufacturing to several
other firms. By the end of the
Civil War, about 100,000 examples of the Bridesburg Rifle Musket were
manufactured.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Bridesburg 1861 Rifle Musket |
.58 Blackpowder |
4.3 kg |
1 Internal |
$454 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Bridesburg 1861 Rifle Musket |
1/12 |
4 |
2-Nil |
9 |
4 |
Nil |
23 |
British Pattern 1853 Rifle-Musket
Notes: One of
the most common rifles on both sides of the Civil War, the Confederates imported
about 400,000 of these rifles and the Union about 505,000.
It was nominally .577 caliber, but both sides in the Civil War used .58
Minie Balls in them. They were made
in both London, England and Liege, Belgium.
It is the best-known imported weapon of the Civil War.
These were produced from 1853-1866. There were four types of the Pattern
1853, but the only one imported to the US or Confederates was the third version.
It had three barrel bands tightened with screws and a thick, strong
ramrod. Barrel was 39 inches.
The Suhl Enfield
Rifle-Musket is copy in all respects of the Pattern 1853.
Enfield subcontrated to Suhl, but Suhl outsourced the actual manufacturer
to private manufacturers.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Pattern 1853 |
.58 Minie Ball |
5.99 kg |
1 Internal |
$485 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Pattern 1853 |
1/7 |
4 |
2-Nil |
9 |
3 |
Nil |
106 |
Brown
Bess
This is a
faithful modern reproduction of the musket that most British troops carried in
the American Revolution, as well as numerous colonial wars and part of the
Napoleonic War. The stock is
designed to look like the original stock, which means that it is elongated and
has a high comb. The stock and
furniture is of walnut. The barrel
is of polished steel, but most metalwork on the Brown Bess is brass.
The front sight is a steel stud, but the Brown Bess has no rear sight.
The Brown Bess uses flintlock ignition, like the original.
Barrels may be 30, 30.5, or 42 inches long, and are not only smoothbore,
but have a polished bore. Modern
reproductions come from a variety of sources, but are sold by Dixie Gun Works
and Navy Arms.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Brown Bess (30” Barrel) |
.75 Blackpowder |
3.4 kg |
1 Internal |
$378 |
Brown Bess (30.5” Barrel) |
.75 Blackpowder |
3.42 kg |
1 Internal |
$383 |
Brown Bess (42” Barrel) |
.75 Blackpowder |
3.9 kg |
1 Internal |
$500 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Brown Bess (30” Barrel) |
1/12 |
5 |
2-4-Nil |
7 |
6 |
Nil |
36 |
Brown Bess (30.5” Barrel) |
1/12 |
5 |
2-4-Nil |
7 |
6 |
Nil |
36 |
Brown Bess (42” Barrel) |
1/12 |
5 |
2-4-Nil |
9 |
6 |
Nil |
48 |
Burnside Carbine
Notes: Though
this carbine was produced from 1857-1865, it is more like a modern inline in
function, firing a .54-caliber special cone-shaped cartridge; it is
breechloaded, and fired by a percussion cap, and uses blackpowder.
The unique cone-shaped bullet sealed the joint between the barrel and the
breech, eliminating a vexing problem with breechloading blackpowder firearms, in
which the gun vented hot gasses through the gap afore mentioned.
Despite winning a War Department rifle competition to be one of the Union
Army’s standard firearms, the conditions of the competition changed when the
Civil War started, and the Burnside Carbine was bumped back to number three in
priority, behind the Sharps Carbine and Spencer Carbine.
As the war went on, a problem with the Burnside Carbine proved to have a
sometimes inopportune problem: the cone-shaped bullet tended to get stuck in the
breech after firing. In addition,
the Sharps and the Spencer fired from self-contained cartridges, allowing a
greater magazine capacity and volume of fire.
A little known
story about the Burnside was that 7 Confederate cavalry units were equipped with
the Burnside Carbine, sold to them before hostilities started. Many will know
Ambrose Burnside as a Union General who really didn’t know what he was doing.
The initial
version, of which 250 had been made, had a 22-inch barrel, and the bullet was
encased in thin copper rather than paper. A tape primer system was pulled
through the top of the lockwork. Construction of the stock was of walnut with no
buttplate, but there was no fore-end. External metalwork is case-color hardened,
except for the blued barrel. This
was the 1st Model. The 2nd
Model had an improved breechblock which made loading faster and with the lock to
open the breech contained inside the trigger guard.
Due to the improved breechblock, the barrel was shortened to 21 inches.
The 3rd Model brought the long sought after fore-end, a barrel band
to fasten the barrel to the fore-end, and an improved hammer.
For game purposes and the firing table, the 3rd Model is
identical to 2nd Model. The 4th Model features a
spring-loaded breech which again simplifies and quickens reloading.
This was the definitive version, with 50,000 being built and issued.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Burnside Carbine (1st Model) |
.54 Blackpowder Conical |
4.31 kg |
1 Internal |
$627 |
Burnside Carbine (2nd Model) |
.54 Blackpowder Conical |
4.21 kg |
1 Internal |
$487 |
Burnside Carbine (3rd Model) |
.54 Blackpowder Conical |
4.63 kg |
1 Internal |
$490 |
Burnside Carbine (4th Model) |
.54 Blackpowder Conical |
4.63 kg |
1 Internal |
$499 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Burnside Carbine (1st Model) |
1/8 |
3 |
1-2-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
80 |
Burnside Carbine (2nd Model/ 3rd Model) |
1/7 |
3 |
1-2-Nil |
5 |
3 |
Nil |
77 |
Burnside Carbine (4th Model) |
1/6 |
3 |
1-2-Nil |
5 |
3 |
Nil |
77 |
Cabela’s Blue Ridge
Notes: This is
another non-specific replica of an early rifle, with anachronistic features such
as an adjustable double set trigger and a blade front and V-notch rear sight.
The furniture is walnut, highly-polished.
The finish of the lock is color-case hardened, the barrel is blued, and
the fittings are brass. The barrel is 39 inches, and locks are percussion or
flintlock.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Cabela’s Blue Ridge (Flintlock) |
.54 Blackpowder |
3.52 kg |
1 Internal |
$659 |
Cabela’s Blue Ridge (Percussion Lock) |
.54 Blackpowder |
3.52 kg |
1 Internal |
$689 |
Cabela’s Blue Ridge (Flintlock) |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.44 kg |
1 Internal |
$653 |
Cabela’s Blue Ridge (Percussion Lock) |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.44 kg |
1 Internal |
$683 |
Cabela’s Blue Ridge (Flintlock) |
.45 Blackpowder |
3.4 kg |
1 Internal |
$648 |
Cabela’s Blue Ridge (Percussion Lock) |
.45 Blackpowder |
3.4 kg |
1 Internal |
$678 |
Cabela’s Blue Ridge (Flintlock) |
.36 Blackpowder |
3.34 kg |
1 Internal |
$641 |
Cabela’s Blue Ridge (Percussion Lock) |
.36 Blackpowder |
3.34 kg |
1 Internal |
$671 |
Cabela’s Blue Ridge (Flintlock) |
.32 Blackpowder |
3.27 kg |
1 Internal |
$638 |
Cabela’s Blue Ridge (Percussion Lock) |
.32 Blackpowder |
3.27 kg |
1 Internal |
$668 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Cabela’s Blue Ridge (Flintlock, .54) |
1/12 |
3 |
2-Nil |
8 |
3 |
Nil |
108 |
Cabela’s Blue Ridge (Percussion Lock, .54) |
1/6 |
3 |
2-Nil |
8 |
3 |
Nil |
108 |
Cabela’s Blue Ridge (Flintlock, .50) |
1/12 |
3 |
1-Nil |
8 |
3 |
Nil |
102 |
Cabela’s Blue Ridge (Percussion Lock, .50) |
1/6 |
3 |
1-Nil |
8 |
3 |
Nil |
102 |
Cabela’s Blue Ridge (Flintlock, .45) |
1/12 |
2 |
1-Nil |
8 |
3 |
Nil |
98 |
Cabela’s Blue Ridge (Percussion Lock, .45) |
1/6 |
2 |
1-Nil |
8 |
3 |
Nil |
98 |
Cabela’s Blue Ridge (Flintlock, .36) |
1/12 |
2 |
1-Nil |
8 |
1 |
Nil |
86 |
Cabela’s Blue Ridge (Percussion Lock, .36) |
1/6 |
2 |
1-Nil |
8 |
1 |
Nil |
86 |
Cabela’s Blue Ridge (Flintlock, .32) |
1/12 |
1 |
Nil |
8 |
1 |
Nil |
81 |
Cabela’s Blue Ridge (Percussion Lock, .32) |
1/6 |
1 |
Nil |
8 |
1 |
Nil |
81 |
Cabala’s Kentucky Rifle
Notes: Like most
of the blackpowder rifles and muskets sold by Cabela’s, the Kentucky Rifle is
more of a replica than a reproduction, following the general lines of an
old-time muzzleloading rifle but having several features that such a rifle would
not have and are more advanced than such a rifle.
The basic rifle has walnut furniture, with a blade front sight and a
V-notch rear sight. The finish is
largely blued, with polished brass fittings.
The Kentucky Rifle is generally sold with a Starter’s Kit, as it is meant
to be a beginner’s blackpowder rifle; this includes a basic cleaning kit, a
small amount of powder and shot, and spare flints or percussion caps.
Flintlock and percussion cap ignition systems are available.
The barrel is 37 inches.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Cabela’s Kentucky Rifle (Flintlock) |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.18 kg |
1 Internal |
$623 |
Cabela’s Kentucky Rifle (Percussion Lock) |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.18 kg |
1 Internal |
$653 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Cabela’s Kentucky Rifle (Flintlock) |
1/12 |
3 |
1-Nil |
8 |
3 |
Nil |
98 |
Cabela’s Kentucky Rifle (Percussion Lock) |
1/6 |
3 |
1-Nil |
8 |
3 |
Nil |
98 |
Cabala’s Kodiak Express Double Rifle
Notes:
Like’s many of Cabela-sold designs the Kodiak Express Double rifle is
essentially a modern replica of a non-specific old-type rifle.
The double barrels have double lockwork, though only one trigger. It
comes only in percussion cap designs, with European walnut furniture,
color-cased hardened lock, blued barrels, and blued fittings.
The Kodiak Express Double Rifle has double leaf rear sights and double
ramp front sights. Barrels are
short for this sort of rifle at 25.25 inches.
The .72 Caliber version is often known as the Big Bore.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Cabela’s Kodiak Express Double Rifle |
.72 Blackpowder |
4.22 kg |
2 Internal |
$1545 |
Cabela’s Kodiak Express Double Rifle |
.58 Blackpowder |
3.83 kg |
2 Internal |
$1484 |
Cabela’s Kodiak Express Double Rifle |
.54 Blackpowder |
3.74 kg |
2 Internal |
$1472 |
Cabela’s Kodiak Express Double Rifle |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.66 kg |
2 Internal |
$1461 |
Weapon |
ROF* |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Cabela’s Kodiak Express Double Rifle (.72) |
1/12 |
5 |
2-4-Nil |
10 |
6 |
Nil |
145 |
Cabela’s Kodiak Express Double Rifle (.58) |
1/12 |
4 |
2-Nil |
10 |
4 |
Nil |
128 |
Cabela’s Kodiak Express Double Rifle (.54) |
1/12 |
3 |
2-Nil |
10 |
3 |
Nil |
124 |
Cabela’s Kodiak Express Double Rifle (.50) |
1/12 |
3 |
1-Nil |
9 |
3 |
Nil |
118 |
*Reloading both barrels takes 12 phases.
Reload figure for one barrel is 6 phases. Both barrels may be fired at
once; in this case double the damage and double the recoil.
Cabela’s Traditional Hawken
Notes: This is a
modern replica of the traditional Hawken rifle of yore, with walnut furniture
and updated with a bladed front sight with an adjustable rear sight,
The rifle also has several anachronistic features such as a color-case
hardened lock, a blued barrel, though it has a brass trigger guards and
fittings. A Sportertized Cabela’s Hawken is also available, with a more
up-to-date stock configuration and a rubber recoil pad.
Ignition is by flintlock or percussion lock.
Barrel length is 29 inches regardless of caliber or type.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Cabela’s Traditional Hawken (Flintlock) |
.50 Blackpowder |
4.08 kg |
1 Internal |
$501 |
Cabela’s Traditional Hawken (Percussion Lock) |
.50 Blackpowder |
4.08 kg |
1 Internal |
$531 |
Cabela’s Traditional Hawken (Flintlock) |
.54 Blackpowder |
4.18 kg |
1 Internal |
$507 |
Cabela’s Traditional Hawken (Percussion Lock) |
.54 Blackpowder |
4.18 kg |
1 Internal |
$537 |
Cabela’s Sporterized Hawken (Flintlock) |
.50 Blackpowder |
4.13 kg |
1 Internal |
$576 |
Cabela’s Sporterized Hawken (Percussion Lock) |
.50 Blackpowder |
4.13 kg |
1 Internal |
$606 |
Cabela’s Sporterized Hawken (Flintlock) |
.54 Blackpowder |
4.23 kg |
1 Internal |
$582 |
Cabela’s Sporterized Hawken (Percussion Lock) |
.54 Blackpowder |
4.23 kg |
1 Internal |
$612 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Cabela’s Traditional/Sporterized Hawken (Flintlock, .50) |
1/12 |
3 |
1-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
78 |
Cabela’s Traditional/Sporterized Hawken (Percussion Lock, ,50) |
1/6 |
3 |
1-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
78 |
Cabela’s Traditional/Sporterized Hawken (Flintlock, .54) |
1/12 |
3 |
2-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
81 |
Cabela’s Traditional/Sporterized Hawken (Percussion Lock, .54) |
1/6 |
3 |
2-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
81 |
Chassepot M-1866
Notes: The Chassepot, officially known as the
Fusil Mle 1866, replaced a motley
collection of breechloading rifles then in service with French forces.
It was the primary arm of the French forces during the Franco-Prussian
War of 1870-71. It was a great
improvement to military rifles of the time, being the first bolt-action rifle
adopted by a major military force.
It was manufactured by MAS, MAC, MAM, and MAT in France, and manufactured under
contract in England and then delivered to the French Navy.
They were also manufactured in Belgium, in Italy, and Austria; all of
these went to the French military.
Manufacture of the Chassepot continued until 1875. Chassepot rifles were
responsible for most Prussian and German casualties during the Franco-Prussian
War.
The
first two prototypes of the Chassepot used cartridges, but instead of a primer,
used a percussion cap to ignite the cartridge.
The third, successful prototype used a variant of the Dreyse Needle
system; it had a rubber obturator on its bolt head to provide a more efficient
gas seal. The Chassepot used a
smaller cartridge, but used a much higher powder charge than the Dreyse, even
for the smaller-caliber projectile. This gave is more power, longer range, and a
flatter trajectory than the Dreyse.
The sights on the Chassepot were graduated to 1600 meters (the maximum range of
the Chassepot), while the Dreyse’s sights were graduated to its maximum
effective range of 600 meters. The
barrel of the Chassepot was 32.5 inches. The cartridge of the Dreyse was,
however, fully metallic, while the Chassepot used a wax-paper-patched cartridge
that had only a metallic ring holding the primer.
It is often erroneously referred to as a combustible cartridge, but the
case is ejected like any other sort of case; such ejected cases are almost never
in any shape to be reloadable; in addition, using a reloaded Chassepot case is
quite often dangerous.
Though the Chassepot gave excellent performance during the Franco-Prussian War,
troops using them complained about fouling, due both to the wax in the cartridge
and the black powder loaded in the cartridges.
In addition, the rubber bolt obturator tended to wear down quickly
(though they were easily replaced by troops using them); this is a problem the
Dreyse did not have. To correct
this, the Chassepot was modified into the Gras M-1874 rifle, and most Chassepots
were also modified to the Gras standard (M-1866/74), though they kept the same
barrel length of the M-1866. Today,
the M-1866/74 is the most common version of the Chassepot Rifle encountered. The
Gras M1874 also used an 11mm centerfire brass full-metallic cartridge which
approximated the Chassepot cartridge in metallic form, and also used black
powder. The Gras Rifle was also
used by the Hellenic Army starting in 1877, and later by Greek guerilla units in
their conflicts with the Ottoman Turks and Nazis, though these were later
supplemented by arms shipments from the Allies.
The barrel of the Gras Rifle was slightly shorter at 32.3 inches.
A hopper could be fixed above the Gras Rifle’s breech, forming a sort of
ad hoc magazine. This accoutrement,
however, tended to fall off, usually at the wrong moment, and was little-used.
As
Germany and Prussia won the war, they captured about 665,000 Chassepot rifles,
which were converted to 11.15mm Mauser metallic cartridges and shortened to
carbine size with a 26-inch barrel, and issued to many German and Prussian
artillery and cavalry units. Some
were also converted to the 11.5mm Bavarian Werder cartridge (uncommon even then)
and issued to police or home guard units or sold to other countries.
This rifle was not considered especially gifted in range or power and was
later withdrawn.
An
odd variant of the Gras Rifle was designed by the Vietnamese General Cao Thang,
who managed to almost faithfully copy the Gras Rifle, but did not have access to
rifling equipment and so his copies were unrifled.
This, of course, limited their effective range and power.
The
Chassepot is often known as the “French Needle Rifle.”
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Chassepot M-1866 |
11mm Chassepot |
4.64 kg |
1 Internal |
$412 |
Chassepot M-1866/74 |
11mm Gras |
4.64 kg |
1 Internal |
$412 |
Gras M-1874 |
11mm Gras |
4.15 kg |
1 Internal |
$410 |
Chassepot M-1866 Carbine |
11.15mm Mauser Rifle |
3.86 kg |
1 Internal |
$339 |
Chassepot M-1866 German Rifle |
11.5mm Bavarian Werder |
4.64 kg |
1 Internal |
$401 |
Vietnamese M-1874 |
11mm Gras |
4.15 kg |
1 Internal |
$274 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Chassepot M-1866 |
SS |
4 |
2-3-Nil |
8 |
4 |
Nil |
128 |
Chassepot M-1866/74 |
SS |
4 |
2-3-Nil |
8 |
4 |
Nil |
128 |
Gras M-1874 |
SS |
4 |
2-3-Nil |
8 |
4 |
Nil |
127 |
Chassepot M-1866 Carbine |
SS |
4 |
2-3-Nil |
6 |
4 |
Nil |
92 |
Chassepot M-1866 German Rifle |
SS |
4 |
2-Nil |
8 |
4 |
Nil |
113 |
Vietnamese M-1874 |
SS |
3 |
2-Nil |
8 |
4 |
Nil |
67 |
Cosmopolitan Rifle
Notes: Fewer
than 100 of these rifles were built between 1859-62.
It was used in combat in only the early parts of the Civil War, by one
company of the 9th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment. The low numbers of
production do not mean there was a problem with quality; the Cosmopolitan was
high on the quality scale. It was a breechloader, firing a combustible case (ie,
nitrated paper) driving a Minie Ball.
It used a 31-inch blued barrel, with a single wide barrel band and a
retention ring near the muzzle of the rifle.
The bayonet was essentially a huge, long spike that fit over the end of
the barrel and locked to the front sight.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Cosmopolitan Rifle |
.52 Combustible Case (Blackpowder) |
3.63 kg |
1 Internal |
$403 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Cosmopolitan Rifle |
1/2 |
3 |
2-Nil |
8 |
3 |
Nil |
85 |
CS
Richmond
Notes: This is
another reproduction of a Civil War musket, and as such has walnut furniture in
a shape to conform to the original musket. The 40-inch barrel is polished steel,
and most of the rest of the metalwork is brass, including a brass buttplate and
fore-end cap, as well as three barrel bands.
The CS Richmond is equipped with sling swivels.
As with most such muskets, the CS Richmond is a rather large and
cumbersome weapon of questionable accuracy.
Ignition is by percussion. Current reproductions are sold by Dixie Gun
Works, Navy Arms, and Taylor’s.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
CS Richmond |
.58 Blackpowder |
4.76 kg |
1 Internal |
$454 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
CS Richmond |
1/12 |
4 |
2-Nil |
10 |
4 |
Nil |
40 |
CVA
Bobcat
Notes: The
Bobcat is a modern take on blackpowder rifles; the ignition is by percussion,
but the stock can be of hardwood or synthetic, and is of modern design and form.
The Bobcat normally comes with fixed sights, but adjustable rear sights
may be had. The front sight is a
blade rather than a simple post or bead.
Metalwork is finished in blue, and the barrel is a 26” octagonal heavy
barrel.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
CVA Bobcat (Wood Stock) |
.50 Blackpowder |
2.72 kg |
1 Internal |
$317 |
CVA Bobcat (Synthetic Stock) |
.50 Blackpowder |
2.5 kg |
1 Internal |
$323 |
CVA Bobcat (Wood Stock) |
.54 Blackpowder |
2.78 kg |
1 Internal |
$316 |
CVA Bobcat (Synthetic Stock) |
.54 Blackpowder |
2.56 kg |
1 Internal |
$326 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
CVA Bobcat (.50) |
1/6 |
3 |
1-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
52 |
CVA Bobcat (.54) |
1/6 |
3 |
1-Nil |
6 |
4 |
Nil |
54 |
CVA
Model 209
Notes: The Model
209 is essentially a modern bolt-action-type rifle modified into a blackpowder
weapon. As such, it has contours
that a modern shooter would find familiar, with a stock that has a
slightly-raised comb, a checkered pistol grip wrist and fore-end, and
modern-type sights (appropriate to the ammunition, of course) with Dura-Bright
fiberoptic insets. The stock may be
of a natural wood finish, or may be composite with black or Mossy Oak finishes.
Metalwork is blued or nickel. Ignition in all cases is by percussion.
The Optima Pro
209 is the base version, with a 29-inch barrel.
The Kodiak 209 Magnum is the same caliber, but stressed for heavier
powder loads, and has a Stainless 209 breech plug; it has a 28-inch barrel.
The Buckhorn 209 Magnum uses heavier calibers as well as being stressed
for heavier powder loads; it has a 24-inch barrel. The Firebolt 209 Magnum
differs in using inline bolt action and having a recoil pad, as well as
adjustable sights; it is also drilled and tapped for a scope.
The barrel is 26 inches, and it is stressed for a heavier powder load.
The Hunterbolt 209 Magnum is again stressed for a heavier powder load and
uses inline bolt action. The sights
are adjustable and the barrel is 24 inches. (The Magnum versions use magnum
powder loads in the stats below.)
The Eclipse 209
Magnum and Stag Horn are similar, but the Eclipse is stressed for a Magnum load,
and the Eclipse comes in black synthetic furniture while the Stag Horn comes
only in black furniture. Both have
24-inch barrels. The iron sights
have fiberoptic inserts, and the weapons are drilled and tapped for a scope.
Metalwork finish is blue in both cases.
Both use inline ignition and loading.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
CVA Optima Pro 209 |
.45 Blackpowder |
3.99 kg |
1 Internal |
$671 |
CVA Optima Pro 209 |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.99 kg |
1 Internal |
$679 |
CVA Kodiak 209 Magnum |
.45 Blackpowder |
3.4 kg |
1 Internal |
$650 |
CVA Kodiak 209 Magnum |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.4 kg |
1 Internal |
$658 |
CVA Buckhorn Magnum 209 |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.18 kg |
1 Internal |
$577 |
CVA Buckhorn Magnum 209 |
.54 Blackpowder |
3.18 kg |
1 Internal |
$585 |
CVA Firebolt 209 Magnum |
.45 Blackpowder |
3.18 kg |
1 Internal |
$610 |
CVA Firebolt 209 Magnum |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.18 kg |
1 Internal |
$618 |
CVA Hunterbolt Magnum |
.45 Blackpowder |
2.72 kg |
1 Internal |
$427 |
CVA Hunterbolt Magnum |
.50 Blackpowder |
2.72 kg |
1 Internal |
$433 |
CVA Eclipse 209 Magnum |
.50 Blackpowder |
2.72 kg |
1 Internal |
$433 |
CVA Stag Horn 209 |
.50 Blackpowder |
2.72 kg |
1 Internal |
$433 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
CVA Optima Pro 209 (.45) |
1/5 |
2 |
1-Nil |
6 |
2 |
Nil |
97 |
CVA Optima Pro 209 (.50) |
1/5 |
3 |
1-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
103 |
CVA Kodiak 209 Magnum (.45) |
1/5 |
3 |
1-1-Nil |
6 |
2 |
Nil |
113 |
CVA Kodiak 209 Magnum (.50) |
1/5 |
3 |
1-1-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
100 |
CVA Buckhorn Magnum 209 (.50) |
1/5 |
3 |
1-1-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
104 |
CVA Buckhorn Magnum 209 (.54) |
1/6 |
3 |
1-2-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
109 |
CVA Firebolt 209 Magnum (.45) |
1/5 |
2 |
1-1-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
106 |
CVA Firebolt 209 Magnum (.50) |
1/5 |
3 |
1-1-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
112 |
CVA Hunterbolt Magnum (.45) |
1/5 |
2 |
1-1-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
74 |
CVA Hunterbolt Magnum (.50) |
1/5 |
3 |
1-1-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
78 |
CVA Eclipse 209 Magnum |
1/5 |
3 |
1-1-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
78 |
CVA Stag Horn 209 |
1/5 |
3 |
1-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
78 |
CVA
Mountain Rifle
Notes: The
Mountain Rifle is sort of a deluxe version for CVA, as well as being a more
traditional version; it has a straight-wrist stock, and the stock is of Hardwood
with UltraGrain finish, and it of more traditional profile.
Metalwork is blued. The
sights consist of a fixed rear notch and a blade front.
The barrel is 32 inches, and the ignition is by percussion.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
CVA Mountain Rifle |
.50 Blackpowder |
2.95 kg |
1 Internal |
$555 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
CVA Mountain Rifle |
1/12 |
3 |
1-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
85 |
CVA
Plainsman
Notes: This is a
more traditional CVA design, with a hardwood old-profile stock with a bead front
sight and fixed notch rear sight.
The metalwork is mostly color-case hardened, except for the barrels.
The barrel is 26 inches, and ignition is by percussion.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
CVA Plainsman |
.50 Blackpowder |
4.08 kg |
1 Internal |
$309 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
CVA Plainsman |
1/12 |
2 |
1-Nil |
8 |
1 |
Nil |
24 |
CVA
St. Louis Hawken
Notes: This is a
more traditional pattern of blackpowder gun, with flintlock or percussion
ignition and maple furniture. The
iron sights are a brass blade front and a brass peep fixed rear sight.
The metalwork is largely blued, but with some brass or black parts.
It does, however, have a set trigger.
Left-handed versions are available. Barrels are 28 inches or 32 inches.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
St Louis Hawken (28” Barrel, Flintlock) |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.63 kg |
1 Internal |
$325 |
St Louis Hawken (32” Barrel, Flintlock) |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.79 kg |
1 Internal |
$208 |
St Louis Hawken (28” Barrel, Flintlock) |
.54 Blackpowder |
3.68 kg |
1 Internal |
$164 |
St Louis Hawken (32” Barrel, Flintlock) |
.54 Blackpowder |
3.84 kg |
1 Internal |
$308 |
St Louis Hawken (28” Barrel, Percussion) |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.63 kg |
1 Internal |
$355 |
St Louis Hawken (32” Barrel, Percussion) |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.79 kg |
1 Internal |
$238 |
St Louis Hawken (28” Barrel, Percussion) |
.54 Blackpowder |
3.68 kg |
1 Internal |
$194 |
St Louis Hawken (32” Barrel, Percussion) |
.54 Blackpowder |
3.84 kg |
1 Internal |
$216 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
St Louis Hawken (28”, .50, Flintlock) |
1/12 |
3 |
1-Nil |
7 |
4 |
Nil |
50 |
St Louis Hawken (32”, .50, Flintlock) |
1/12 |
3 |
1-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
56 |
St Louis Hawken (28”, .54, Flintlock) |
1/12 |
3 |
2-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
54 |
St Louis Hawken (32”, .54, Flintlock) |
1/12 |
3 |
2-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
60 |
St Louis Hawken (28”, .50, Percussion) |
1/6 |
3 |
1-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
50 |
St Louis Hawken (32”, .50, Percussion) |
1/6 |
3 |
1-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
56 |
St Louis Hawken (28”, .54, Percussion) |
1/6 |
3 |
2-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
54 |
St Louis Hawken (32”, .54, Percussion) |
1/6 |
3 |
2-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
60 |
CVA
Youth Hunter
Notes: As the
name suggests, the Youth Hunter is designed for young teenagers first getting
acquainted with blackpowder weapons.
The stock is therefore shorter in length of pull and has less of a drop
in it, and the pistol grip radius has a smaller diameter.
The stock is hardwood and the barrel is a 24” octagonal heavy barrel.
Sights are a bead front and a fully adjustable rear peep sight.
Finish of the metalwork is matte blue.
Ignition is by percussion.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
CVA Youth Hunter |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.29 kg |
1 Internal |
$296 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
CVA Youth Hunter |
1/12 |
3 |
1-Nil |
6 |
4 |
Nil |
23 |
Dimick Plains Rifle
Notes: For most
part, Horace Dimicks business consisted of copying (by license) several other
blackpowder designs, including muskets, breechloading rifles, and derringers.
This includes his Plains Rifle, which was part of a number of plains rifles that
were produced at about the same time (1849), and is essentially a Hawken with a
slightly longer 32.5-inch barrel.
The long barrel is in what we would today call a full octagon pattern, which
makes for a rather poorly-balanced firearm that is a bit muzzle-heavy.
It was, however, a decently accurate rifle, especially at long range, and
more importantly, was a weapon that could be easily bought by settlers before
they went out into the Great Plains (being made in St Louis also helped sales).
It used the modern (for the time) percussion system, and of course the lockwork
and firing system are identical to the Hawken.
The rifle is half-stocked, with a fore-end about a third the length of
the barrel and ramrod holder.
Very few
manufacturers make the Dimick, and they are generally small companies.
Other manufacturers make parts, to allow one to build his own Dimick.
This means that a Dimick could be of almost any caliber, though a
historically accurate one is .58 caliber.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Dimick Plains Rifle |
.58 Blackpowder |
3.63 kg |
1 Internal |
$579 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Dimick Plains Rifle |
1/6 |
4 |
2-Nil |
8 |
4 |
Nil |
96 |
Dixie
Kentuckian
Notes: Made in
Italy, the Dixie Kentuckian is an old-style flintlock weapon with a long
35.25-inch smoothbore barrel. (A
percussion ignition version is also made.) The stock is of the old type, made of
walnut and with a dovetailed front sight and an open V-notch rear fixed sight.
The barrel, trigger, and other small metalwork is blued; the lockwork is
color-case hardened. The Dixie
Kentuckian hearkens back to the days of yore and is made in a sort of replica of
an old Kentucky rifle (though it is smoothbore).
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Dixie Kentuckian (Flintlock) |
.45 Blackpowder |
2.49 kg |
1 Internal |
$394 |
Dixie Kentuckian (Percussion) |
.45 Blackpowder |
2.49 kg |
1 Internal |
$424 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Dixie Kentuckian (Flintlock) |
1/12 |
2 |
1-Nil |
8 |
3 |
Nil |
30 |
Dixie Kentuckian (Percussion) |
1/6 |
2 |
1-Nil |
8 |
3 |
Nil |
30 |
East
India Company Victoria
Notes: First
Issued in 1838, the Victoria was issued to most non-British troops of the
British Empire. It was also known
as the Brunswick Rifle. Two calibers were used, both quite huge – .733 caliber
and .704 caliber, with .704 being more common.
The Victoria first used a back action percussion system, which was
quickly changed to a side-lock system.
The first two versions of the Victoria were muskets, but the 1853 version
updated this to a rifled barrel; this rifle was even used by British Troops, and
it is what is shown below. The barrel length is 26 inches and the barrel is
round.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Victoria |
.733 Blackpowder |
4.03 kg |
1 Internal |
$504 |
Victoria |
.704 Blackpowder |
3.92 kg |
1 Internal |
$495 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Victoria (.733) |
1/6 |
5 |
2-4-Nil |
7 |
6 |
Nil |
89 |
Victoria (.704) |
1/6 |
5 |
2-4-Nil |
7 |
6 |
Nil |
86 |
Enfield British Pattern 1839 Musket
Notes: Also
known as the P-39, the Pattern 1839 was imported from Britain by both sides
during the American Civil War, this is an unrifled musket which is almost as
long as the Austrian Model 1842.
Some 10,000 were produced, mostly for export, and most of these exports went to
the North and South during the American Civil War.
It was originally designed as a flintlock musket, both sides in the Civil
War converted them to percussion ignition. The 41.25-inch barrel is secured to
the stock by a single screw. The
P-39 was produced with no rear sight, though one will see many with a rear sight
these days; they were added later on.
An improved
version of the Pattern 1839 was produced, called the Pattern 1842.
The hammer and keys were flattened.
A notch-type rear sight was added. The Pattern 1942 has no side plates;
instead, the lock plate screws are directly in the rifle itself, secured by two
locking washers. The P-42 was used by both sides in the Civil War. For game
purposes. it is identical to the Pattern 1839.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Pattern 1839 |
.75 Blackpowder |
5.06 kg |
1 Internal |
$247 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Pattern 1839 |
1/5 |
5 |
2-4-Nil |
9 |
5 |
Nil |
45 |
Navy
Contract Musket
Notes: These
were old even by Civil War standards, being produced by AH Waters, and of
unknown production numbers, though they produced many for the Massachusetts
units. At first, they took the form of standard muskets of the period -- later
modifications, done from 1842-51, These were performed in several arsenals to
bring them more up to date. Modifications included Belgian cone percussion, with
a nipple directly on the breech, as well a heavy brass, curved buttplate that
was narrowed from the original specifications.
This is often called the "Massachusetts Militia" modifications. The
barrel was 43.25 inches.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Navy Contract Musket |
.69 Blackpowder |
4.51 kg |
1 Internal |
$251 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Navy Contract Musket |
1/6 |
5 |
2-3-Nil |
9 |
4 |
Nil |
45 |
French Model 1816 Rifled Musket
Notes: Like many
such rifles, this was originally s smoothbore flintlock.
It was later converted to a rifled musket, percussion-fired weapon.
The Union side acquired them in a roundabout way; the French retired
these firearms as muskets, and the German state of Wurzenburg bought them as
cut-rate prices.. They then did the
conversion work. They first
converted the then-muskets to percussion, then rifled the bores.
They added long-range sights. Union purchasing agent Marcellus Hartley
bought 2000 of these rifled muskets for the Union side, but bought them in
Liege, Belgium. The barrel is a long 43.6 inches, a legacy of once being a
musket.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
French Model 1816 |
.71 Blackpowder |
6.01 kg |
1 Internal |
$410 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
French Model 1816 |
1/7 |
3 |
1-Nil |
10 |
3 |
Nil |
69 |
French Model 1857 Rifle-Musket
Notes: Though
designed in Impale, France, the manufacturing work was split between France and
Liege, Belgium. Most of the lockwork was done in France, and the rest in
Belgium. These rifles were
literally covered in proof marks, French and Belgian, then of the country it was
imported to. The Model 1857 was the first longarm that the French officially
adopted for the French Army. The
Model 1857 draws much from the Model 1842; in some cases (particularly the
furniture), parts from the Model 1842 were used on the Model 1857.
The Model 1857 fired huge Minie Balls.
The US Ordinance Department rated the Model 1857 as a 2nd Class weapon,
but it was used by some state militias so more modern weapons could be given to
frontline troops. The barrel is 40.75 inches.
The Model 1863
is a copy of the Model 1857, basically the same weapon except for the smaller
caliber. The US Ordnance Department
rated it as a 1st-Class weapon, suitable for issue to frontline troops.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Model 1857 Rifle-Musket |
.70 Minie Ball |
5.88 kg |
1 Internal |
$565 |
Model 1863 Rifle-Musket |
.58 Minie Ball |
5.22 kg |
1 Internal |
$502 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Model 1857 Rifle-Musket |
1/7 |
5 |
2-4-Nil |
10 |
5 |
Nil |
124 |
Model 1863 Rifle-Musket |
1/7 |
4 |
2-Nil |
10 |
4 |
Nil |
110 |
St
Etienne Model 1822 Musket
Notes: This
musket's design was by St Etienne, but it was produced at several arsenals,
including Tylle, Charleville, and Mutzig. This musket was employed early in the
Civil War by the Union side, though they were quickly replaced.
The Type I version was designed for Infantry, and the shorter Type II was
carried by Voltiguers (Light Infantry.
Despite which model is used, it is a huge weapon, with the Type I having
a 43.5-inch barrel, and the Type II having a 41.85-inch barrel.
They were original flintlock muskets, but were later converted to
percussion ignition. Many were also rifled and used as sniper's weapons.
The Model 1842
Musket is a later update of the Model 1822, with the Type I having a 43.69-inch
barrel and the Type II having a 42-inch barrel. This was the first percussion
firearm that the French Army adopted.
It was also adopted by Union side of the Civil War.
Later, the Model 1842s received rifled barrels. Some 147,000 were bought
by the Union side in the Civil War.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Model 1822 Type I (Unrifled) |
.71 Blackpowder |
5.02 kg |
1 Internal |
$258 |
Model 1822 Type II (Unrifled) |
.71 Blackpowder |
4.91 kg |
1 Internal |
$246 |
Model 1842 Type I (Rifled) |
.71 Blackpowder |
5.02 kg |
1 Internal |
$381 |
Model 1842 Type II (Rifled) |
.71 Blackpowder |
4.92 kg |
1 Internal |
$371 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Model 1822 Type I (Unrifled) |
1/6 |
5 |
2-4-Nil |
10 |
5 |
Nil |
46 |
Model 1822 Type II (Unrifled) |
1/6 |
5 |
2-4-Nil |
9 |
5 |
Nil |
44 |
Model 1842 Type I (Rifled) |
1/7 |
5 |
2-4-Nil |
10 |
5 |
Nil |
69 |
Model 1842 Type II (Rifled) |
1/7 |
5 |
2-4-Nil |
9 |
5 |
Nil |
68 |
Gallagher Carbine
Notes: The
Gallagher Carbine, Standard Production
was originally designed to be a breechloading rifle using a combustible
paper and foil cartridge or a
special copper-cased metallic cartridge, with ignition by a percussion cap.
Some 17000 were built and issued to some Union volunteer regiments, such
as 2nd, 4th, and 6th Ohio, 13th Tennessee, and 3rd West Virginia. The paper and
foil cartridge was dropped early in production and never issued.
Barrel length was 22 inches and virtually all metalwork was blued.
Reloading was done by pivoting barrel. After the Civil War, some were
converted to other calibers or into shotguns.
The Final Model
was similar in many ways to the Standard Production, but designed for use only
with brass cartridges. Some 5000 were built.
These were delivered to the War Department in May 1860, too late for the
Civil War; half of them were sold to France in 1870.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Standard Production |
.50 Copper Case (Blackpowder) |
3.4 kg |
1 Internal |
$282 |
Final Model |
.56-52 Spencer |
3.4 kg |
1 Internal |
$285 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Standard Production |
1/2 |
3 |
2-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
60 |
Final Model |
SS |
3 |
2-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
60 |
Gibbs
African Hunter
Notes: This is a
hunting version of the old Gibbs Hunting Rifle, designed for hunting big game
(in a day where metallic cartridges were not yet available). The rifle has ghost
ring sights, adjustable for elevation and windage.
It is also surprisingly useful in low-light situations. Stocks are dark
walnut, while the external is dark blued. The
barrel is 29 inches with anti-reflection checkering on top. Operation is
percussion and the barrel is rifled. Standard load is a magnum load.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
African Hunter |
.72 Blackpowder |
4.2 kg |
1 Internal |
$364 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
African Hunter |
1/6 |
5 |
1-2-Nil |
7 |
4 |
Nil |
92 |
Greene Rifle
Notes: Designed
and patented by LTC James Durrell Greene, the Greene Rifle was the first
bolt-action firearm to enter US service in 1857.
However, the largest users of the Greene Rifle was the Russians, who
bought 3000 of them in 1859. The Union bought 900 of them, but their only
documented use was at the Battle of Antietam. Operation was an adaptation of the
Dreyse Needle Gun; it had an underhammer bolt, and the percussion cap nipple is
in front of the trigger guard, The
barrel was 35 inches, with three barrel bands; each band was over half an inch
wide. The stock was oiled walnut, and behind the brass buttplate was a
compartment for cleaning supplies.
A shorter and
handier carbine version of this rifle was also designed. It was also much more
rare, with only 300 produced and sent to the War Department.
They do not appear to have seen any combat use in the Civil War, despite
having been available, and that Greene was more than willing to make thousands
of them for the Union. The 21-inch barrel was round and blued, and took a
cartridge made of rolled, nitrated paper tipped with a Minie Ball. The front
sight was a blade and the rear sight was designed for shooting at long ranges,
like that of the Greene Rifle. A variant designed for the British Army was also
made by Greene; this was the British Pattern Greene Carbine.
This is basically the same rifle, but with a short 18-inch barrel.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Greene Rifle |
.54 Minie Ball (Combustible Cartridge) |
4.48 kg |
1 Internal |
$806 |
Greene Carbine |
.54 Minie Ball (Combustible Cartridge) |
3.52 kg |
1 Internal |
$274 |
British Pattern Greene Carbine |
.54 Minie Ball (Combustible Cartridge) |
3.4 kg |
1 Internal |
$244 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Greene Rifle |
SS |
3 |
2-Nil |
8 |
3 |
Nil |
106 |
Greene Carbine |
SS |
3 |
2-Nil |
5 |
3 |
Nil |
55 |
British Pattern Greene Carbine |
SS |
3 |
2-Nil |
5 |
3 |
Nil |
46 |
Hall
Breechloading Rifle Model 1819
Notes: an old
rifle at the time of the Civil War, the Hall was used primarily by the
Confederates, and was made at the Harpers Ferry Arsenal starting in 1819 and
continuing until 1838. Some 10,229
were on hand on the Confederate side; the Union used 677, made at the Washington
Federal Arsenal. It was a curious combination of obsolete and ahead of its time,
using flintlock ignition, loading by opening the breech, and the use of a
combustible paper cartridge. The 35-inch barrel fired round-ball shot and had a
single mid-barrel band and an iron end-cap.
Finish for the metalwork was blued, while the stock was black walnut with
a considerable drop in the stock.
There was a front bead sight and a notch rear side, with the notch on the right
side to aim around the flintlock mechanism.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Hall Model 1819 |
.52 Combustible Cartridge |
4.65 kg |
1 Internal |
$310 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Hall Model 1819 |
SS |
2 |
1-Nil |
8 |
2 |
Nil |
47 |
Hall-North Carbine Model 1833
This carbine was
one of the first breechloading weapons adopted anywhere; it entered US service
in 1834, with 7163 put into service.
They were used in the Civil War and the Mexican War. Loading was by a
hinged receiver that opened upon actuating a spur latch at the rear of the
fore-end. The barrel was smoothbore
and 26.1875 inches, and the combustible paper cartridge had a ball-type round
attached to the front. In the stock
was a box containing tools appropriate for the carbine.
The barrel and most of the metalwork were iron finished with brown
lacquer, except for the action, which was case-hardened iron.
Ignition was by percussion cap; the nipple was mounted directly onto the
receiver. To the rear of the lock
plate, on the left side, was a sling ring.
A relic of the past, a ramrod was included, and the carbine could
actually be muzzleloaded if necessary or desired; the breech was closed and kept
closed during muzzleloading. There
were two types of this carbine: a .58-caliber version, built from 1834-1836;
these 1028 were issued primarily to the 1st US Dragoons in the Arkansas
Territory, and ended up on the Confederate side in the Civil War.
The second model was in .52 caliber and the 6135 were issued to the 2nd
US Dragoons in Florida, and also were used by the Confederates in the Civil War.
A special run of 100 were issued to the militia unit in Mobile, Alabama
and also used on the Confederate side in the Civil War.
The Hall Carbine
Model 1836 was also nearly identical to the Model 1833, and the 2020 built were
also issued to the 2nd US Dragoons in Florida.
It too was a smoothbore carbine, with a round barrel 23 inches in length.
The sling ring was actually an eyebolt. on the left side of the wrist of
the stock, There were no barrel
bands; the barrel was secured by pins. The Type I did not have an implement box
in the stock, while the Type II, built from 1839-40, had it.
They are identical for game purposes.
The Hall-North
Model 1840 is similar to the Hall Model 1836 and the Model 1833, except that it
came only in .52 caliber and had a shorter 21-inch barrel.
Virtually none had the implement box in the stock.
The spur-latch was changed in favor of two types of levers: an L-shaped
lever, and a fishhook-shaped lever. 6501 were built.
The Hall Model
1842 is identical to the Model 1840 for game purposes.
1001 were built, all of which went to the 1st US Dragoons.
The Hall-North
Model 1843 is identical to the Model 1840 for game purposes.
Differences include a thumb lever for operating the breech, a
case-hardened breech, and a nipple mounted directly on the receiver.
The Hall North
Model 1843 Rifle is basically a Model 1843 with a rifled, heavier-caliber bore.
It has an interesting history: The entire production run of 5000 were not
accepted by the War Department. In
1861, General John Fremont bought the entire lot at a cut-rate price for his
troops, and they served throughout the Civil War.
The US government started a corruption investigation after that deal, and
it led to Fremont being removed from his command.
But his former unit kept the rifles.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Hall-North Carbine Model 1833 (First Model) |
.58 Combustible Cartridge (Ball) |
3.71 kg |
1 Internal |
$158 |
Hall-North Carbine Model 1833 (Second Model) |
.52 Combustible Cartridge (Ball) |
3.62 kg |
1 Internal |
$154 |
Hall Carbine Model 1836 |
.64 Combustible Cartridge (Ball) |
3.52 kg |
1 Internal |
$145 |
Hall-North Carbine Model 1840 |
.52 Combustible Cartridge (Ball) |
3.52 kg |
1 Internal |
$128 |
Hall-North Rifle Model 1843 |
.52 Combustible Cartridge (Ball) |
3.74 kg |
1 Internal |
$196 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Hall-North Carbine Model 1833 (First Model, Breechloaded) |
1/2 |
3 |
1-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
26 |
Hall-North Carbine Model 1833 (First Model, Muzzleloaded) |
1/5 |
3 |
1-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
26 |
Hall-North Carbine Model 1833 (Second Model, Breechloaded) |
1/2 |
2 |
1-Nil |
6 |
2 |
Nil |
36 |
Hall-North Carbine Model 1833 (Second Model, Muzzleloaded) |
1/5 |
2 |
1-Nil |
6 |
2 |
Nil |
36 |
Hall Carbine Model 1836 (Breechloaded) |
1/2 |
2 |
1-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
36 |
Hall Carbine Model 1836 (Muzzleloaded) |
1/5 |
2 |
1-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
36 |
Hall-North Carbine Model 1840 (Breechloaded) |
1/2 |
2 |
1-Nil |
5 |
2 |
Nil |
20 |
Hall-North Carbine Model 1840 (Muzzleloaded) |
1/5 |
2 |
1-Nil |
5 |
2 |
Nil |
20 |
Hall Rifle Model 1843 (Breechloaded) |
1/2 |
3 |
1-Nil |
5 |
3 |
Nil |
32 |
Hall Rifle Model 1843 (Muzzleloaded) |
1/6 |
3 |
1-Nil |
5 |
3 |
Nil |
32 |
Hanseatic League Model 1840 Rifled Musket
Notes: These
rifled musket was imported from Hertburg, Germany to the Ohio Regiment of the
Union forces. Though it was
originally designed as a musket, most were rifled in the 1850s.
Most metalwork was finished in bright metal while the barrel was browned.
Stocks were European Walnut. Ignition is by percussion.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Model 1840 Rifled Musket |
.70 Blackpowder |
5.88 kg |
1 Internal |
$394 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Model 1840 Rifled Musket |
1/6 |
3 |
2-Nil |
10 |
3 |
Nil |
66 |
Hawken Rifle
Notes: This is a
reproduction of the rifle that saw the passage from the long and heavy
Pennsylvania rifles, to a group of rifles known as “Plains Rifles,” and the
Hawken also marked the abandonment of the old flintlock ignition system for the
more modern percussion method. As
such, it began the process of evolution of the rifle to what would come with the
Civil War. Several versions were
available, from the original Rock Mountain Hawken available in about 1840, and
the Missouri River Hawken, which generally used smaller calibers of ball.
The barrels included a 28”, 28.75”, 30”, 31”, and 32”, and they are heavy
octagonal barrels with low blade front sights and adjustable notch rear sights.
Though the original Hawken had double set triggers, these are an option
and not standard on most reproductions.
The barrel is blued, and the Hawken reproduction has a brass butt plate,
patch box, wedge side plates, and nose cap.
Stocks are of walnut or maple.
This weapon is already a rifle; no range adjustment for using a rifled
version is necessary; though rifled balls are used instead of Minie-type balls.
Details may vary between manufacturers; current manufacturers or
distributers include Black Powder Products, Dixie Gun Works, TC Arms, and
Traditions.
Note that this
Hawken reproduction is not related to the CVA St Louis Hawken except in
generalized form.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Hawken (28” Barrel) |
.45 Blackpowder |
2.95 kg |
1 Internal |
$639 |
Hawken (28.75” Barrel) |
.45 Blackpowder |
3.1 kg |
1 Internal |
$645 |
Hawken (30” Barrel) |
.45 Blackpowder |
3.13 kg |
1 Internal |
$662 |
Hawken (31” Barrel) |
.45 Blackpowder |
3.19 kg |
1 Internal |
$684 |
Hawken (32” Barrel) |
.45 Blackpowder |
3.25 kg |
1 Internal |
$707 |
Hawken (28” Barrel) |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.12 kg |
1 Internal |
$646 |
Hawken (28.75” Barrel) |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.29 kg |
1 Internal |
$652 |
Hawken (30” Barrel) |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.32 kg |
1 Internal |
$683 |
Hawken (31” Barrel) |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.38 kg |
1 Internal |
$690 |
Hawken (32” Barrel) |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.44 kg |
1 Internal |
$806 |
Hawken (28” Barrel) |
.54 Blackpowder |
3.28 kg |
1 Internal |
$637 |
Hawken (28.75” Barrel) |
.54 Blackpowder |
3.46 kg |
1 Internal |
$652 |
Hawken (30” Barrel) |
.54 Blackpowder |
3.49 kg |
1 Internal |
$677 |
Hawken (31” Barrel) |
.54 Blackpowder |
3.55 kg |
1 Internal |
$696 |
Hawken (32” Barrel) |
.54 Blackpowder |
3.61 kg |
1 Internal |
$714 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Hawken (28” Barrel, .45) |
1/8 |
2 |
1-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
62 |
Hawken (28.75” Barrel, .45) |
1/8 |
2 |
1-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
65 |
Hawken (30” Barrel, .45) |
1/8 |
2 |
1-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
66 |
Hawken (31” Barrel, .45) |
1/8 |
2 |
1-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
67 |
Hawken (32” Barrel, .45) |
1/8 |
2 |
1-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
70 |
Hawken (28” Barrel, .50) |
1/8 |
3 |
1-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
65 |
Hawken (28.75” Barrel, .50) |
1/8 |
3 |
1-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
66 |
Hawken (30” Barrel, .50) |
1/8 |
3 |
1-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
70 |
Hawken (31” Barrel, .50) |
1/8 |
3 |
1-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
71 |
Hawken (32” Barrel, .50) |
1/8 |
3 |
1-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
73 |
Hawken (28” Barrel, .54) |
1/8 |
3 |
2-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
68 |
Hawken (28.75” Barrel, .54) |
1/8 |
3 |
2-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
70 |
Hawken (30” Barrel, .54) |
1/8 |
3 |
2-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
72 |
Hawken (31” Barrel, .54) |
1/8 |
3 |
2-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
75 |
Hawken (32” Barrel, .54) |
1/8 |
3 |
2-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
77 |
Harpers Ferry/Springfield Model 1842 Musket
Notes: The
Harpers Ferry 1842 Musket and the Springfield 1842 Musket are essentially the
same weapon, just built by different armories.
For the most part, they are different only in the markings on the musket;
even the parts are interchangeable. However, some 1200 were made at Harpers
Ferry with shortened, 33-inch barrels which were rifled. They had long-range
sights and were made specifically for John Charles Fremont in 1847 for an
expedition into South America.
The
Springfield-built versions were used in large numbers in the Mexican War, and
black walnut stocks with bright metal finish on the metalwork.
These too had many that were made into rifles; the US designation for
both was US Model 1942 Rifled Musket. Most of these Rifled Muskets were made
around 1855. The normal muskets had
no rear sights. Their barrels were
42 inches.
These were all
percussion weapons. The Confederate-produced B Flagg & Company Model 1842 Musket
was a Confederate copy of the Harpers Ferry and Springfield models, though
technically they were at a level below the Union models.
The Palmetto Armory made the same copy of the Union rifle.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Model 1842 Musket |
.69 Blackpowder |
4.2 kg |
1 Internal |
$245 |
Model 1842 Rifled Musket |
.69 Blackpowder |
3.67 kg |
1 Internal |
$734 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Model 1842 Musket |
1/6 |
5 |
2-3-Nil |
9 |
4 |
Nil |
44 |
Model 1842 Rifled Musket |
1/7 |
5 |
2-3-Nil |
8 |
5 |
Nil |
55 |
Harpers Ferry/Springfield Model 1855 Rifle-Musket
Notes: These two
rifles were essentially the same, even able to interchange parts.
They were manufactured in Massachusetts and in Harpers Ferry, VA (shortly
to become West VA). 12,158 were built.
The Type I was the standard rifled musket; the Type II had long-range
sights. On the Type III, the muzzle was iron instead of steel, and the brass
backplate had an iron compartment in it to store upkeep supplies.
Barrel is 42 inches. Ignition is by percussion.
The Whitney 1855
Rifled Musket is also essentially the same except markings, but it was built by
Eli Whitney in Connecticut.
However, the barrel has seven rifling grooves instead of three. The Cadet Rifle
Model 1858 is also very similar, but had a 39.75-inch barrel.
It is otherwise similar to the Type I.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Model 1855 |
.58 Blackpowder |
4.2 kg |
1 Internal |
$344 |
Cadet Rifle Model 1858 |
.58 Blackpowder |
3.68 kg |
1 Internal |
$300 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Model 1855 |
1/8 |
3 |
1-Nil |
9 |
2 |
Nil |
60 |
Cadet Rifle Model 1858 |
1/8 |
3 |
1-Nil |
9 |
3 |
Nil |
55 |
Henry
Repeating Rifle
Notes: The Henry
was one of the first repeating rifles to be invented; it saw considerable use by
the Union side and lesser use by the Confederate side (as Henrys were captured).
It was the most sophisticated small arm of the Civil War. The Henry was
available in 1860, but the Union did not buy them, citing wasteful use of
ammunition. However, an increasing
number of troops used their own pay to buy the Henry and its ammunition, at
first primarily by cavalrymen, then by infantrymen.
Some were also bought by families back home and sent to their loved ones
on the front lines. The Henry was a lever-action rifle, fed by an underbarrel
tubular magazine -- a magazine-fed rifle was another innovation.
Operation was via a sliding breech block actuated by the lever/trigger
guard, setting the pattern for lever-action rifles for a long time.
The action and receiver was brass. The sights were in what would later be
called the scout position, with the rear adjustable leaf forward of the barrel
attachment assembly and a front blade sight. The barrel was a blued octagonal
24-inch barrel, the stock was of oil-finished black walnut. Some 4000 Henry
rifles made it to combat in the later stages of the Civil War, but large numbers
of Henrys did to make it to combat until about mid-1863.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Henry Repeating Rifle |
.44 Henry Rimfire (Blackpowder) |
4.2 kg |
15 Tubular |
$748 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Henry Repeating Rifle |
LA |
2 |
1-Nil |
6 |
2 |
Nil |
62 |
Indian Trade Musket
Notes: This is a
modern reproduction of muskets produced by Pedersoli, Pennsylvania Longrifles,
and some British companies. The
original Indian Trade Muskets were traded or given to friendly or allied Native
Americans in colonial times or during the early days of the US government.
As such, this reproduction matches the design of the times; it has a full
length stock of hardwood and a long, narrow stock.
Most metal fittings are of brass, with an oversized trigger guard.
The front sight is a simple blade; the rear sight has a limited amount of
adjustability (primarily for drift).
Being a musket, the 35.25-inch barrel is smoothbore, and has a browned
exterior finish. Firing is by
flintlock percussion. The example
presented here is a model sold by Cabela’s.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Indian Trade Musket |
.62 Blackpowder |
3.13 kg |
1 Internal |
$411 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Indian Trade Musket |
1/12 |
4 |
2-3-Nil |
8 |
5 |
Nil |
23 |
Jenks
Breechloading Rifle
Notes: the Jenks
Rifle was produced for the US Navy by NP Ames; all were delivered by 1844.
It is a rather primitive sort of breechloading weapon; it appears to have
used the simplest breechloading mechanism possible.
One moves the breech-lever up, then slides it back, opening the breech.
One then put a measure of powder in the breech and a ball ahead of it,
then closed the breech again. Fit
was tight enough to be the equivalent of ramming powder and ball with a ramrod
like a muzzle loader. On then
cocked the hammer and put a percussion cap on the nipple.
This sped up loading time, but only just.
The barrel was 30 inches and browned.
The stock was black walnut.
The Jenks
Carbine was based on the Jenks Rifle, but featured a number of improvements that
turned it into what almost led me to make it a separate entry. Approximately
4250 were built. The Carbine had a sliding breechblock, which opened the chamber
for loading. At this point, one
could pour loose powder and a ball into the chamber, and when the breechblock
was closed again, the entire round was tightly pressed forward.
A percussion cap was then loaded onto a nipple. One could also put a
packet of nitrated paper and powder, and put a ball ahead of this, and then
close the breechblock again, with a percussion cap mounted on the nipple.
Though this only just increased loading times, it was still an
improvement, as was breech loading in general. The 24.5-inch barrel was browned
and rifled. Most had no rear
sights, just a bead front sight.
Later improvements gave the Jenks Carbine a v-notch rear sight and a blade rear
sight.
The
Janks-Remington Carbine was produced in numbers of about 1000.
They saw service in the Mexican War, but it is unclear how many or even
if they saw Civil War service, and if so, on which side.
For game purposes, it is identical to the Jenks Carbine, but uses only
the combustible paper powder packet and ball.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Jenks Rifle |
.54 Blackpowder (Breechloading) |
3.06 kg |
1 Internal |
$407 |
Jenks Carbine |
.54 Blackpowder (Breechloading) |
2.72 kg |
1 Internal |
$292 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Jenks Rifle |
1/5 |
2 |
1-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
46 |
Jenks Carbine (Loose Powder and Ball) |
1/5 |
2 |
1-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
35 |
Jenks Carbine (Combustible Case Powder) |
1/3 |
2 |
1-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
35 |
JF
Brown Target/Sniper Rifle
Notes: This
Minie ball-firing rifle was one of the first purpose-built sniper rifles
designed. Though designed in
Massachusetts, it was used by both the Union and Confederate sides.
Perhaps the most striking feature of the rifle was its Amadon 3x scope
which, due to the technological limitations of the time, was longer than the
barrel itself. Controls for the
scope are at the rear, near the shooter’s eye. The firing system was by
percussion and was a unitary, contained system – when disassembled for cleaning,
the firing system came out in one piece.
The barrel was what would later be known as a bull barrel.
The rifle has no conventional sights, but there were conventional sights
atop the scope. There is no fore-end, simply the bulk of the rifle’s barrel
along with a cooling sleeve; the stock had a curved butt covered with serrated
brass. At the top of this buttplate
was a compartment for various cleaning supplies. The barrel is 32.48 inches
long, as said earlier, fires a modified Minie Ball through a hexagonal bore.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
JF Brown Target/Sniper Rifle |
.45 Blackpowder Minie Ball |
13.6 kg |
1 Internal |
$1091 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
JF Brown Target/Sniper Rifle |
1/6 |
2 |
1-Nil |
8 |
1 |
Nil |
60 |
JH
Krider Rifle-Musket
Notes: These was
a limited-edition rifle that fired an enormous Minie Ball .69 caliber.
It was issued only to certain Pennsylvanian militia troops who had
extremely short terms of service and were unlikely to be called to frontline
service, and only near the beginning of the Civil War.
It looks like a Springfield 1861, but has a larger, browned barrel
instead of the smaller .58 caliber barrel. Metalwork was largely an alloy of
iron and brass, except for the bayonet and barrel. Near the buttstock was a two
piece patch box. The lockwork was
color-case hardened.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
JH Krider Rifle-Musket |
.69 Minie Ball |
7.19 kg |
1 Internal |
$551 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
JH Krider Rifle-Musket |
1/7 |
5 |
2-3-Nil |
10 |
3 |
Nil |
121 |
Joslyn Carbine
Notes: The
Joslyn Carbine was a rifle that went through three iterations, each improving
the rifle. The first version, the Model 1855, fired a Minie Ball which was
loaded into the receiver attached to a nitrided paper powder envelope.
It used an unusual breech mechanism; one pulls the hammer back to
half-cock position and slides a ring to the front of the receiver cover, at
which point the cartridge is loaded into the breech, the receiver closed, a
percussion cap placed, and the hammer pulled back to full cock.
The Model 1855 had a 21-inch blued barrel, brass metalwork except for the
blued saddle swivel and its bar, and a case-hardened breech, breech lever, and
lock.
The next version
was the Model 1862, which fired a metallic cartridge. It had a pivoting
breechblock and a firing pin extension that allowed the hammer direct contact.
The 22-inch barrel is round and blued, with a front blade sight and a
rear sight consisting of two leaf sights.
All of the metalwork was brass, with the lock plate being case-hardened.
The third
version was the Model 1864; it was surprising in its numbers, with 12,500 being
built and issued to Union troops.
The brass metalwork was case-hardened, but otherwise, it is for game purposes
identical to the Model 1862. After
the Civil War, in private hands, some were modified to fire different calibers
and cartridges; at least two other chamberings are known to collectors. .52-56
Sharps was the military cartridge (though also used by civilians after the Civil
War).
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Model 1855 |
.54 Minie Ball (Combustible Case) |
3.29 kg |
1 Internal |
$256 |
Model 1862 |
.52-56 Sharps |
3.01 kg |
1 Internal |
$285 |
Model 1864 |
.52-56 Sharps |
3.01 kg |
1 Internal |
$285 |
Model 1864 |
.44 Henry |
3.01 kg |
1 Internal |
$268 |
Model 1864 |
.58 Springfield |
3.01 kg |
1 Internal |
$297 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Model 1855 |
1/2 |
2 |
1-Nil |
5 |
3 |
Nil |
38 |
Model 1862 |
SS |
3 |
2-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
60 |
Model 1864 (.52-56) |
SS |
3 |
2-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
60 |
Model 1864 (.44) |
SS |
2 |
1-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
54 |
Model 1864 (.58) |
SS |
4 |
2-3-Nil |
6 |
5 |
Nil |
62 |
JP
Murray Carbine
Notes: The
original JP Murray carbines were built by Murray’s facility; much of Murray’s
output of these carbines were sold on the sly to the American Confederacy.
Some were, in fact, built under license in the Confederacy by Zoli;
however, not many were built by the Confederates, as they suffered from a poor
manufacturing base. Most that were
built in the Confederacy were built in Columbus, Georgia. A large number were
also built in England, but assembled in the Confederacy; this allowed for parts
to be separately delivered by small blockade running ships and boats.
The JP Murray Carbine has been said to be heavily based on the US Model
1841 Rifle, though there is the chopped barrel and other small differences.
The JP Murray Carbine was well thought of by Confederate troops due to
it’s relatively small size, though it a bit muzzle-heavy, and heavy in general
for such a short weapon. The JP
Murray Carbine fires Minie Balls (through a rifled barrel, of course), though it
used a percussion system that required a piece of flintlock in the hammer
(though it is not actually a flintlock).
Modern
reproductions have hardwood or walnut stocks, with for-ends that go all the way
to the end of the barrel. The
Modern JP Murray Carbine primarily sticks to the original plans, with a brass
blade front sight, a rear sight which is dovetailed in (and therefore somewhat
adjustable for drift), a blued barrel, a color-case hardened action, and
otherwise with brass furniture (including one barrel band and a combined fitting
for a ramrod and a bayonet). The
barrel is a short 23.5 inches. Dixie Gun works and Navy Arms are some of the
manufacturers of modern JP Murray Carbines.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
JP Murray Carbine |
.58 Blackpowder Minie Ball |
3.63 kg |
1 Internal |
$544 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
JP Murray Carbine |
1/8 |
4 |
2-Nil |
7 |
4 |
Nil |
94 |
Keen,
Walker & Co Carbine
I decided to
include this weapon, even though only 300 were made, because it is one of the
few "modern" weapons to be made specifically for Confederate forces.
It fires a .54 caliber Minie Ball attached at the tail to a combustible
paper cartridge, through the breech. Quality and construction varied wildly, but
the standard was an iron barrel which is either blued or browned, 23.275 inches
long. It employs a tilting breech
to open the chamber; it tilts upwards only a small amount, just enough to slip a
round in. Ignition is by percussion
cap, placed on a cone-shaped nipple. The breech is opened via a scroll-shaped
lever which forms a part of the trigger guard. On the left side is a ring on a
bar; this allowed the weapon to be carried on a loose sling or attached to a
saddle ring. Unusually, the
metalwork of some of these carbines is of bronze instead of brass or iron.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Keen, Walker & Co Carbine |
.54 Minie Ball (Combustible Cartridge) |
3.23 kg |
1 Internal |
$474 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
JP Murray Carbine |
SS |
2 |
1-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
44 |
Kentucky Rifle
Notes: I don’t
know of any history major, history buff, or military weapon buff who hasn’t
heard of the Kentucky Rifle. Also
known as the Kentucky Long Rifle (it is rather long, especially in iterations
that have longer barrels). It is an
All-American rifle, developed in what was then the American frontier (Western
Pennsylvania) in about the 1740s; however, it is generally acknowledged that the
design developed from weapons used by German immigrants.
The Kentucky Rifle is known for its accuracy and simply for being a rifle
(using a rifled ball) at a time when most longarms were unrifled muskets.
Some Kentucky Rifles were made rather ornate by their owners, though most
retained their utilitarian form and were used for hunting and self defense.
Irregulars armed with Kentucky Rifles quickly became the bane of British
Troops during the Revolutionary War – their owners were generally crafty
woodsmen who would fire a well-aimed shot, with the accent on picking off
officers, and then melt into the woods again, leaving no trace.
Kentucky Rifle-armed marksmen again acquitted themselves well during the
War of 1812, particularly in the Battle of New Orleans.
Backwoods people were known to make regular use of the Kentucky Rifle
well into the 19th century, and reports of its use into the early 20th
century abound. The Hawken Rifle
was essentially a shorter-barreled, shorter-stocked version of the Kentucky
Rifle.
Modern
reproductions follow the original design as much as possible. An authentic stock
is made of curly maple, but most modern reproductions use walnut in the stock.
The stock is long, relatively narrow, has a pronounced drop in it, and a
sharply-curved butt that is designed to help stabilization on the shooter’s
shoulder. The smaller calibers available reflect the fact that users of the
Kentucky Rifles often chose smaller bores, both to make a lighter weapon and to
conserve lead, which a short commodity at the time.
The barrels, of course, are quite long.
Modern reproductions often are somewhat or even highly decorated,
particularly on the stock. Sights
are rudimentary, with a simple notch rear and blade front (a long way to the
front of the rear sight); some modern reproductions are equipped with better
sights. Most metalwork is brass,
but the barrel is heavy and of an octagonal cross-section; it is generally blued
in modern reproductions. Depending
on the time period simulated, the Kentucky Rifle can have flintlock or
percussion ignition; the percussion versions are identical, but take only half
the time to reload. Modern
manufacturers of the Kentucky Rifle include Dixie gun Works, Taylor’s, and
traditions.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Kentucky Rifle (33.5” Barrel) |
.36 Blackpowder |
2.75 kg |
1 Internal |
$570 |
Kentucky Rifle (35” Barrel) |
.36 Blackpowder |
2.82 kg |
1 Internal |
$593 |
Kentucky Rifle (35.25” Barrel) |
.36 Blackpowder |
2.83 kg |
1 Internal |
$625 |
Kentucky Rifle (38” Barrel) |
.36 Blackpowder |
2.97 kg |
1 Internal |
$640 |
Kentucky Rifle (42” Barrel) |
.36 Blackpowder |
3.17 kg |
1 Internal |
$702 |
Kentucky Rifle (44” Barrel) |
.36 Blackpowder |
3.27 kg |
1 Internal |
$734 |
Kentucky Rifle (46” Barrel) |
.36 Blackpowder |
3.37 kg |
1 Internal |
$765 |
Kentucky Rifle (48” Barrel) |
.36 Blackpowder |
3.47 kg |
1 Internal |
$796 |
Kentucky Rifle (33.5” Barrel) |
.40 Blackpowder |
2.83 kg |
1 Internal |
$572 |
Kentucky Rifle (35” Barrel) |
.40 Blackpowder |
2.9 kg |
1 Internal |
$600 |
Kentucky Rifle (35.25” Barrel) |
.40 Blackpowder |
2.91 kg |
1 Internal |
$639 |
Kentucky Rifle (38” Barrel) |
.40 Blackpowder |
3.05 kg |
1 Internal |
$643 |
Kentucky Rifle (42” Barrel) |
.40 Blackpowder |
3.26 kg |
1 Internal |
$705 |
Kentucky Rifle (44” Barrel) |
.40 Blackpowder |
3.36 kg |
1 Internal |
$737 |
Kentucky Rifle (46” Barrel) |
.40 Blackpowder |
3.46 kg |
1 Internal |
$768 |
Kentucky Rifle (48” Barrel) |
.40 Blackpowder |
3.56 kg |
1 Internal |
$799 |
Kentucky Rifle (33.5” Barrel) |
.45 Blackpowder |
2.95 kg |
1 Internal |
$577 |
Kentucky Rifle (35” Barrel) |
.45 Blackpowder |
3.03 kg |
1 Internal |
$601 |
Kentucky Rifle (35.25” Barrel) |
.45 Blackpowder |
3.04 kg |
1 Internal |
$604 |
Kentucky Rifle (38” Barrel) |
.45 Blackpowder |
3.19 kg |
1 Internal |
$647 |
Kentucky Rifle (42” Barrel) |
.45 Blackpowder |
3.4 kg |
1 Internal |
$710 |
Kentucky Rifle (44” Barrel) |
.45 Blackpowder |
3.51 kg |
1 Internal |
$741 |
Kentucky Rifle (46” Barrel) |
.45 Blackpowder |
3.62 kg |
1 Internal |
$772 |
Kentucky Rifle (48” Barrel) |
.45 Blackpowder |
3.73 kg |
1 Internal |
$804 |
Kentucky Rifle (33.5” Barrel) |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.1 kg |
1 Internal |
$583 |
Kentucky Rifle (35” Barrel) |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.18 kg |
1 Internal |
$606 |
Kentucky Rifle (35.25” Barrel) |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.19 kg |
1 Internal |
$610 |
Kentucky Rifle (38” Barrel) |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.35 kg |
1 Internal |
$653 |
Kentucky Rifle (42” Barrel) |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.57 kg |
1 Internal |
$715 |
Kentucky Rifle (44” Barrel) |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.69 kg |
1 Internal |
$747 |
Kentucky Rifle (46” Barrel) |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.81 kg |
1 Internal |
$778 |
Kentucky Rifle (48” Barrel) |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.93 kg |
1 Internal |
$810 |
Kentucky Rifle (33.5” Barrel) |
.54 Blackpowder |
3.25 kg |
1 Internal |
$588 |
Kentucky Rifle (35” Barrel) |
.54 Blackpowder |
3.33 kg |
1 Internal |
$612 |
Kentucky Rifle (35.25” Barrel) |
.54 Blackpowder |
3.34 kg |
1 Internal |
$616 |
Kentucky Rifle (38” Barrel) |
.54 Blackpowder |
3.51 kg |
1 Internal |
$659 |
Kentucky Rifle (42” Barrel) |
.54 Blackpowder |
3.74 kg |
1 Internal |
$721 |
Kentucky Rifle (44” Barrel) |
.54 Blackpowder |
3.87 kg |
1 Internal |
$752 |
Kentucky Rifle (46” Barrel) |
.54 Blackpowder |
4 kg |
1 Internal |
$783 |
Kentucky Rifle (48” Barrel) |
.54 Blackpowder |
4.13 kg |
1 Internal |
$815 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Kentucky Rifle (33.5” Barrel, .36) |
1/12 |
2 |
1-Nil |
7 |
1 |
Nil |
76 |
Kentucky Rifle (35” Barrel, .36) |
1/12 |
2 |
1-Nil |
8 |
1 |
Nil |
79 |
Kentucky Rifle (35.25” Barrel, .36) |
1/12 |
2 |
1-Nil |
8 |
1 |
Nil |
80 |
Kentucky Rifle (38” Barrel, .36) |
1/12 |
2 |
1-Nil |
8 |
1 |
Nil |
86 |
Kentucky Rifle (42” Barrel, .36) |
1/12 |
2 |
1-Nil |
9 |
1 |
Nil |
94 |
Kentucky Rifle (44” Barrel, .36) |
1/12 |
2 |
1-Nil |
9 |
1 |
Nil |
99 |
Kentucky Rifle (46” Barrel, .36) |
1/12 |
2 |
1-Nil |
10 |
1 |
Nil |
104 |
Kentucky Rifle (48” Barrel, .36) |
1/12 |
2 |
1-Nil |
10 |
1 |
Nil |
107 |
Kentucky Rifle (33.5” Barrel, .40) |
1/12 |
2 |
1-Nil |
7 |
2 |
Nil |
80 |
Kentucky Rifle (35” Barrel, .40) |
1/12 |
2 |
1-Nil |
8 |
2 |
Nil |
84 |
Kentucky Rifle (35.25” Barrel, .40) |
1/12 |
2 |
1-Nil |
8 |
2 |
Nil |
84 |
Kentucky Rifle (38” Barrel, .40) |
1/12 |
2 |
1-Nil |
8 |
2 |
Nil |
91 |
Kentucky Rifle (42” Barrel, .40) |
1/12 |
2 |
1-Nil |
9 |
1 |
Nil |
100 |
Kentucky Rifle (44” Barrel, .40) |
1/12 |
2 |
1-Nil |
9 |
1 |
Nil |
104 |
Kentucky Rifle (46” Barrel, .40) |
1/12 |
2 |
1-Nil |
10 |
1 |
Nil |
109 |
Kentucky Rifle (48” Barrel, .40) |
1/12 |
2 |
1-Nil |
10 |
1 |
Nil |
114 |
Kentucky Rifle (33.5” Barrel, .45) |
1/12 |
2 |
1-Nil |
8 |
3 |
Nil |
86 |
Kentucky Rifle (35” Barrel, .45) |
1/12 |
2 |
1-Nil |
8 |
3 |
Nil |
89 |
Kentucky Rifle (35.25” Barrel, .45) |
1/12 |
2 |
1-Nil |
8 |
3 |
Nil |
90 |
Kentucky Rifle (38” Barrel, .45) |
1/12 |
2 |
1-Nil |
8 |
3 |
Nil |
97 |
Kentucky Rifle (42” Barrel, .45) |
1/12 |
2 |
1-Nil |
9 |
3 |
Nil |
106 |
Kentucky Rifle (44” Barrel, .45) |
1/12 |
2 |
1-Nil |
9 |
3 |
Nil |
111 |
Kentucky Rifle (46” Barrel, .45) |
1/12 |
2 |
1-Nil |
10 |
3 |
Nil |
116 |
Kentucky Rifle (48” Barrel, .45) |
1/12 |
2 |
1-Nil |
10 |
3 |
Nil |
121 |
Kentucky Rifle (33.5” Barrel, .50) |
1/12 |
3 |
1-Nil |
8 |
3 |
Nil |
91 |
Kentucky Rifle (35” Barrel, .50) |
1/12 |
3 |
1-Nil |
8 |
3 |
Nil |
95 |
Kentucky Rifle (35.25” Barrel, .50) |
1/12 |
3 |
1-Nil |
8 |
3 |
Nil |
95 |
Kentucky Rifle (38” Barrel, .50) |
1/12 |
3 |
1-Nil |
8 |
3 |
Nil |
102 |
Kentucky Rifle (42” Barrel, .50) |
1/12 |
3 |
1-Nil |
9 |
3 |
Nil |
113 |
Kentucky Rifle (44” Barrel, .50) |
1/12 |
3 |
1-Nil |
9 |
3 |
Nil |
118 |
Kentucky Rifle (46” Barrel, .50) |
1/12 |
3 |
1-Nil |
10 |
3 |
Nil |
123 |
Kentucky Rifle (48” Barrel, .50) |
1/12 |
3 |
1-Nil |
10 |
3 |
Nil |
128 |
Kentucky Rifle (33.5” Barrel, .54) |
1/12 |
3 |
2-Nil |
8 |
3 |
Nil |
95 |
Kentucky Rifle (35” Barrel, .54) |
1/12 |
3 |
2-Nil |
8 |
3 |
Nil |
99 |
Kentucky Rifle (35.25” Barrel, .54) |
1/12 |
3 |
2-Nil |
8 |
3 |
Nil |
100 |
Kentucky Rifle (38” Barrel, .54) |
1/12 |
3 |
2-Nil |
8 |
3 |
Nil |
107 |
Kentucky Rifle (42” Barrel, .54) |
1/12 |
3 |
2-Nil |
9 |
3 |
Nil |
118 |
Kentucky Rifle (44” Barrel, .54) |
1/12 |
3 |
2-Nil |
9 |
3 |
Nil |
123 |
Kentucky Rifle (46” Barrel, .54) |
1/12 |
3 |
2-Nil |
10 |
3 |
Nil |
129 |
Kentucky Rifle (48” Barrel, .54) |
1/12 |
3 |
2-Nil |
10 |
3 |
Nil |
134 |
Knight Elite Disc Rifle
I’ll fully admit
I don’t understand what the name of this weapon signifies; as with the
Revolution, it is essentially a modern take on a blackpowder weapon, and uses
inline ignition. The stock style
and synthetic construction are all modern, however.
The pistol grip wrist and fore-end are checkered.
The Elite Disc rifle uses a fully adjustable open rear sight and a
blackened front bead. In addition,
the Elite Disc Rifle is drilled and tapped for a scope mount.
There is a Master Model, which has a two-tone walnut laminated stock, and
a Disc Extreme which uses a full plastic jacket primer holder.
For game purposes, they are identical to the standard Model.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Elite Disc Rifle (24” Barrel) |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.32 kg |
1 Internal |
$577 |
Elite Disc Rifle (26” Barrel) |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.41 kg |
1 Internal |
$618 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Elite Disc Rifle (24” Barrel) |
1/5 |
3 |
1-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
87 |
Elite Disc Rifle (26” Barrel) |
1/5 |
3 |
1-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
93 |
Knight Revolution
Notes: This is
essentially a modern blackpowder weapon, using inline ignition and having a
synthetic stock of modern design (and finished in black, Mossy Oak, or
Realtree), though a laminated walnut stock is also available. The rear sight is
an adjustable open sight; the front sight is a ramp with fiberoptic inserts.
Metalwork finish can be blued or stainless steel. The breech pivots and drops
for loading. As stated, this is a
modern-form rifle; the only thing that separates it from modern rifles is the
use of blackpowder. Barrel length
is 27 inches.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Revolution |
.50 Blackpowder |
2.92 kg |
1 Internal |
$638 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Revolution |
1/5 |
3 |
1-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
97 |
Knight Wolverine
Notes: This is
another blackpowder weapon, almost a blackpowder carbine with its short 22”
barrel. The Wolverine is an inline
design. The stock is synthetic with
the pistol grip wrist and fore-end synthetic; finishes for the stock are black
or camo of various sorts, and the stock has a recoil pad on the butt.
The stock normally uses a pistol grip wrist, but a thumbhole wrist is
also available. The rear sights are
fully adjustable and the front sight is a blade; both use fiberoptic inserts.
The Wolverine is also drilled and tapped for a scope mount.
The American
Knight is similar, but the stock has sling swivel studs and does not have a
recoil pad. The front sight is a
bead instead of a blade, but still has a fiberoptic insert.
The American Knight is also considerably lighter than the Wolverine.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Wolverine |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.23 kg |
1 Internal |
$687 |
American Knight |
.50 Blackpowder |
2.81 kg |
1 Internal |
$537 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Wolverine |
1/5 |
3 |
1-Nil |
5 |
3 |
Nil |
80 |
American Knight |
1/5 |
3 |
1-Nil |
5 |
3 |
Nil |
80 |
Lindner Carbine
Notes: There are
two basic variants of the Lindner Carbine; both fired combustible paper
cartridges with a Minie Ball up front.
The Type I numbered only 501 built.
It used a unique method of opening the breech: a locking collar was
rotated, allowing the spring-loaded, hinged breechblock to open. The 22-inch
barrel was round and, like the rest of the metalwork, finished in bright iron.
As on many carbines, the Lindner had a bar on the left side with a ring,
allowing it to be carried on a loose sling or clipped to the saddle ring of a
cavalryman. Deliveries to Union
forces began in 1862.
The Type II
varied primarily in the markings on the carbine, the shape of the lock plate,
the shape of the stock, and rear sight moved to the front of the breechblock.
The Type II is, for game purposes, identical to the Type I.
The War Department ordered 6000 of the Lindner Type II, but they were not
ready for delivery until 1864, after the entire lot was built.
The War Department refused the order, saying that they no longer needed
the carbines. They were eventually
sold to France ten years later.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Lindner Carbine |
.58 Minie Ball (Combustible Cartridge) |
2.72 kg |
1 Internal |
$271 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Lindner Carbine |
SS |
3 |
1-Nil |
5 |
3 |
Nil |
44 |
Lindsay Double Rifle-Musket Model 1863
Notes: with two
percussion ignition systems, and with one barrel slightly ahead of the other (so
as not to have both going off at once, the Lindsay had two triggers; the front
fired the left barrel, and the rear the left barrel.
Perhaps 1000 were built, and they were actually used in one battle near
the end of the war, plus by a few individuals late in the war.
Unfortunately, if the left barrel was fired first, the firing of the
right barrel unduly fouled the right barrel, and the pulling of the front
trigger often caused the inadvertent firing of both barrels (and massive kick
and shoulder bruises). Most of the weapon had metalwork in bright metal, though
the rear leaf sight was blued. It
has three barrel bands, with the front sling swivel on the center band and the
rear sling swivel in front of the trigger guard..The bayonet was modified to fit
around both barrels. The stock is
black walnut, oil finished.
The first ROF
figure is to load one barrel; the second is for both barrels.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Lindsay Double Rifle-Musket |
.69 Minie Ball |
7.19 kg |
1 Internal |
$1077 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Lindsay Double Rifle-Musket |
1/7 (1/14) |
5 |
2-3-Nil |
10 |
3 |
Nil |
121 |
Maynard Carbine
Notes: There are
two versions of the Maynard Carbine, Type I and Type II. Both use copper
cartridges, also designed by Maynard.
The barrel is half-octagonal and 20 inches in length. The trigger guard
has an extension which actuates the opening of the breech.
Metalwork is iron and is blued, as is the barrel.
The rear sight is a tang sight and the front is a blade.
Some later versions had a sling swivel on the toe of the stock for a
loose sling. Despite being manufactured in Massachusetts, the Maynard Carbine
was bought up by the soon-to-be Confederate States before the start of the Civil
War. Some 6000 were built and
delivered, and issued to what Jefferson Davis considered his elite units.
Ignition of the primer was by a percussion cap, though the Type I used the
Maynard Tape Primer system. The
.35-40 Maynard proved to be positively anemic and was quickly dropped or
converted to .50 Maynard.
The Type II is
made in only one caliber. Some
20,200 were built and delivered, primarily in 1859 to the soon-to-be Confederate
states. The barrel was slightly
longer at 20.375 inches. It used
conventional percussion caps. Otherwise, it is identical to the Type I for game
purposes.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Maynard Carbine Type I |
.35-40 Maynard |
2.72 kg |
1 Internal |
$323 |
Maynard Carbine Type I |
.50 Maynard |
2.72 kg |
1 Internal |
$719 |
Maynard Carbine Type II |
.50 Maynard |
2.72 kg |
1 Internal |
$723 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Maynard Carbine Type I (.35-40) |
1/2 |
1 |
Nil |
5 |
1 |
Nil |
34 |
Maynard Carbine Type I (.50) |
1/2 |
3 |
2-Nil |
5 |
5 |
Nil |
58 |
Maynard Carbine Type II (.50) |
1/2 |
3 |
2-Nil |
5 |
5 |
Nil |
60 |
Merrill Carbine
Notes: This
carbine fired a Minie Ball attached to a combustible paper cartridge or,
unusually, a non-combustible foil or rubber cartridge. (The non-combustible
packages increase loading time, but have no other effect in game terms.)
There were Type I and Type II versions, but the only difference was the
markings and the lack of a patch box (they discovered it was not necessary), had
a different rear sight, a stock with the fore-end being longer and fuller, and a
different latch on the breech opening mechanism. (For game purposes, the two
types are identical. Both had a
22.125-inch browned or blued barrel (Naval and Marine versions were more likely
to have browned barrels). It was
loaded by unlatching and lifting the breech lever, which caused the breechblock
to move back, exposing the chamber.
All metalwork was bright brass.
Naval and Marine versions are tin-plated.
The bolt face is copper-plated.
Several thousand Type Is and 14,500 Type IIs were built, which made it
one of the most-issued modern rifles of the Civil War. The Merrill Carbine was
known for its relatively light weight.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Merrill Carbine |
.54 Minie Ball |
3.06 kg |
1 Internal |
$268 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Merrill Carbine (Combustible Cartridge) |
SS |
2 |
1-Nil |
5 |
3 |
Nil |
42 |
Merrill Carbine (Noncombustible Cartridge) |
1/2 |
2 |
1-Nil |
5 |
3 |
Nil |
42 |
Millennium Muzzleloaders Competitor
Notes: As the
name would indicate, the Competitor is designed for blackpowder rifle
competitions. Except for the
blackpowder propellant and inline ignition, the Competitor is a modern rifle,
with a synthetic stock in matte charcoal or Mossy Oak finish.
The metalwork is blued. The
sights use a fiberoptic/bright paint system called by Millennium Muzzleloaders
the Bright-Line system. The
Competitor is also drilled and tapped for a scope mount.
The trigger is fully user-adjustable and the Competitor comes with a
synthetic ramrod. Barrel length is
24 inches.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Competitor |
.45 Blackpowder |
3.18 kg |
1 Internal |
$570 |
Competitor |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.23 kg |
1 Internal |
$577 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Competitor (.45) |
1/5 |
3 |
1-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
82 |
Competitor (.50) |
1/5 |
3 |
1-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
87 |
Morse
Carbine
This carbine
fired a metallic cartridge which was heavy-caliber and had a decent case size
with a large powder charge. They
were built at the Military Works in Greenville, South Carolina, with about a
thousand built and issued to South Carolina troops. The Morse Carbine is one of
the most advanced firearms the Confederates had manufactured, but it did not
appear until 1864. Except for the barrel and sights, the metalwork was brass,
and the Morse carbine had a blocky, lumpish appearance.
Reloading is done via a tilting breech;
loading methods differ with the Model of the Carbine.
Type Is used a moveable operating rod, which also the firing pin.
The Type II latching mechanism uses a hollow iron rod in which is the
firing pin. The hollow rod becomes
flanged at the end going into the breech with a knurled front edge that covers
the firing pin where is contacts the round.
The Type III has a sliding breechblock to open the breech and close it.
In all cases, the internal loading and firing mechanism are controlled by
a hand lever under the wrist. All are identical for game purposes.
The barrel may
be round or half-octagonal, ands is 21 inches long.
It is blued iron.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Morse Carbine (Round Barrel) |
.50 Morse |
3.57 kg |
1 Internal |
$282 |
Competitor |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.59 kg |
1 Internal |
$285 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Morse Carbine (Round Barrel) |
SS |
4 |
2-Nil |
5 |
4 |
Nil |
63 |
Competitor (.50) |
1/5 |
4 |
2-Nil |
5 |
4 |
Nil |
64 |
Morse
Inside Lock Musket
Notes: These
were designed for use by the Union forces In the Civil War. Fewer than 200 were
made; the reason is it's, ah...innovative design, with a centrally-mounted
hammer and percussion cap nipple. A
shaft runs through the weapon, through the lock, and terminates at the
percussion nipple. The barrel is 40.31 inches.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Inside Lock Musket |
.69 Blackpowder |
4.81 kg |
1 Internal |
$236 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Inside Lock Musket |
1/6 |
5 |
2-3-Nil |
9 |
4 |
Nil |
42 |
NEF
Huntsman
This is for the most an old
early 18th-century design muzzleloader, but it has some modern
refinements. The stock is American
hardwood with a walnut finish, but the stock is also weatherproofed.
A polymer-stocked version is also built. The front and rear sights both
have fiberoptic inlays. The 24-inch
barrel has a black oxide finish; the rest of the metalwork is color-case
hardened, and the barrel is rifled.
The 26-inch barrel is less common, still made in significant numbers. The
Huntsman is also drilled and tapped for a scope mount.
The Stainless Huntsman is a variant with a matte nickel finish receiver
instead of being color-case hardened.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Huntsman (24” Barrel) |
.45 Blackpowder |
2.95 kg |
1 Internal |
$275 |
Huntsman (26” Barrel) |
.45 Blackpowder |
3.02 kg |
1 Internal |
$296 |
Huntsman (24” Barrel) |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.05 kg |
1 Internal |
$295 |
Huntsman (26” Barrel) |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.12 kg |
1 Internal |
$299 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Huntsman (.45, 24”) |
1/6 |
2 |
1-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
41 |
Huntsman (.45, 26”) |
1/6 |
2 |
1-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
44 |
Huntsman (.50, 24”) |
1/6 |
2 |
1-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
44 |
Huntsman (.50, 26”) |
1/6 |
3 |
1-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
47 |
Nock
Volley Gun
Notes: The Nock
Volley Gun was an attempt to increase the firepower of the then-new rifled
muskets. Despite the name, the Nock
Volley Gun was invented by James Wilson in the late 1770s; the first guns were
delivered in the early 1780s.
However, the maker of the barrel cluster was stamped on the top barrel,
“H.Nock,” and so the hybrid weapon became to be known as the Nock Volley Gun.
The name “Volley” came from the use of a cluster of simultaneously-fired
rifled barrels; the result was much like a burst from an assault rifle.
(There was no provision to fire the barrels individually or keep some
barrels unloaded; it was all or nothing.) The Nock Volley Gun proved to be
heavy, produce massive muzzle flash and smoke, and prone to cause shoulder
bruising and injuries due to the massive amount of powder required to fire 7
barrels simultaneously. This was
not so important on a ship or from a fortification where the weapon could be
bipod or tripod mounted, but an individual infantryman carrying one was not a
happy camper unless he was a masochist.
Barrels were short at 20 inches and chambered for .52-caliber balls
(though a more common loading was a patched .49 or .495 ball). Eventually,
complaints about the difficulty of using the Nock Volley Gun led to loadings
reduced to 41.5 grains of powder (down from 57 grains), and the use of paper
partridges loaded with a .445 ball.
Nonetheless, the tremendous gout of fire and smoke led to the rifle being banned
on ships for fear of setting the rigging on fire.
On land and sea, the Nock disappears from military service after 1805.
But this was not
the end of the Nock. It acquired a
following among hunters, especially those hunting birds.
In the 1830s, some of the first cased rifle rounds were used on modified
Nocks. The Volley could bring down
just about anything, and African hunters also used the Nock.
One hunter, COL Thomas Thornton, uses a 12-barreled variation.
Most of these cartridge-firing versions were break-open and chambered for
rounds like .500 Nitro Express. These could be fired with some of the barrels
unloaded. (Quite frankly, with the figures I’m getting, it mystifies me how
anyone could fire a fully-loaded .500 Nitro-firing Nock!)
However, the
Nock again fell into the dustbin of history around the 1860s – until the late
1950s. John Wayne and company were
looking for massive amounts of period weaponry, including a Nock for Jim Bowie
as played by Richard Widmark.
Though one fully authentic Nock was used in the movie, the laborious loading and
long loading times meant that most Nocks appearing in the film were fired
electrically with a surreptitious powder loading band being fitted to the Nock.
Today, one can
still get a Nock, whether old-style or cartridge firing.
The Rifle Shoppe will sell you parts kits, though an assembled gun will
cost you a mint in IRL terms.
Note that the
barrels of the Nock are each rifled. Damage is per ball (or bullet); treat as a
7-round burst (or 12-round, for the Thornton Rifle) for volley effects.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Nock Volley Gun (Original Loading) |
.52 Blackpowder |
6.8 kg |
7 Internal |
$2285 |
Nock Volley Gun (Common Loading) |
.49 Blackpowder |
6.8 kg |
7 Internal |
$2285 |
Nock Volley Gun (Reduced Loading) |
.445 Blackpowder |
6.8 kg |
7 Internal |
$2285 |
Nock Volley Gun (Cartridges) |
.500 Nitro Express |
8.62 kg |
7 Internal |
$7323 |
Nock Volley Gun (Thornton Variation) |
.500 Nitro Express |
11.69 kg |
12 Internal |
$13032 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Nock Volley Gun (Original Loading) |
1/42 |
3 |
2-Nil |
6 |
12 |
Nil |
57 |
Nock Volley Gun (Common Loading) |
1/42 |
3 |
1-Nil |
8 |
7 |
Nil |
55 |
Nock Volley Gun (Reduced Loading) |
1/42 |
2 |
1-Nil |
8 |
3 |
Nil |
52 |
Nock Volley Gun (Cartridges) |
1/7 |
8 |
1-2-3 |
7 |
23 |
Nil |
73 |
Nock Volley Gun (Thornton Variation) |
1/12 |
8 |
1-2-3 |
7 |
37 |
Nil |
73 |
Parker-Hale Volunteer 2-Band Target
Notes: The
Volunteer is a replica of an old-world type of rifle; the original was designed
for rifled balls, but the Parker-Hale version is designed to fire a modern
update of a Minie Ball-type round.
(The range below reflects that this is a rifled weapon and not a smoothbore.)
Ignition is by percussion, and the barrel is a very long 32-inch barrel
with a heavy profile. The stock is
of walnut, and oil-finished; a not is given to modern methods with the checkered
(straight) wrist and checkered fore-end.
The front sights are of a type that was once common, a ball-shaped sight
called a globe; the rear sight is an adjustable ladder sight.
The receiver has a color-case hardened finish, the barrel is blued, and
the buttplate, trigger guard, and parts of the fore-end are brass.
The Whitworth is
a similar design, but has a 36-inch barrel which does not have a heavy profile.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Volunteer |
.451 Blackpowder |
4.31 kg |
1 Internal |
$701 |
Whitworth |
.451 Blackpowder |
4.37 kg |
1 Internal |
$763 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Volunteer |
1/6 |
2 |
1-Nil |
7 |
2 |
Nil |
104 |
Whitworth |
1/6 |
2 |
1-Nil |
8 |
2 |
Nil |
114 |
Piedmontese Model 1844/60 Rifled Musket
Notes:
Originally built in Torino Italy, they were converted to then-modern standards
in 1860, in hopes to sell them to the US Army, who would buy just about any
reasonably-modern firearm at the time.
They originally a copy of the French Model 1822 musket, they then became
their own rifles. They were bought
by Secretary of War Stanton in correspondence to Marcellus Hartley, without
going through normal channels, as other parties were interested and they were
regarded all over Europe as weapons of quality. The Union bought some 2000
copies. Barrel length is 42 inches.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Piedmontese Model 1844/60 |
.69 Blackpowder |
5.93 kg |
1 Internal |
$678 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Piedmontese Model 1844/60 |
1/8 |
35 |
2-Nil |
10 |
3 |
Nil |
67 |
Prussian Model 1809 Musket
Notes: These
muskets, used throughout the Civil War, were perhaps some of the oldest in use
in that war. They were made by
Potsdam, Saarn, Naisse, and Suhl.
Originally a flintlock, the Model 1809 was converted to percussion ignition well
before the Civil War. Some 100,300
were bought by the US Government.
Their external metalwork is finished in bright steel.
Barrel is 42.38 inches.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Prussian Model 1809 |
.72 Blackpowder |
4.99 kg |
1 Internal |
$249 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Prussian Model 1809 |
1/8 |
5 |
2-4-Nil |
9 |
5 |
Nil |
46 |
Prussian Model 1839/55 Rifled Musket
Notes: This
rifled musket had several versions, primarily differentiated by caliber.
They had both Prussian and American markings, and were used only by Union
forces during the Civil War. Some
65,000 were imported from Suhl, Potsdam, Zella, and Mehlis armories.
Two broad
versions, other than caliber, were produced. The Type I was based on the Model
1839. It uses the Belgian cone type
of percussion lock, and the cone may be screwed onto the breech.
Their bores ranged from.60 to .715.
They were imported for the Union by Herman Boker, a company still in
business. It is interesting that the importation order listed the Type I as
"smooth bore," though they were definitely rifled.
The Type II came
in a .615 bore version only. While
the Type I could not accept a bayonet, the Type II could.
They have a long-range adjustable long range sight, with a brass bead
front sight. These were imported by
John Hoey, but not until 1862.
Barrels for all
were 43.75 inches.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Prussian Model 1839/55 |
.69 Blackpowder |
5.94 kg |
1 Internal |
$408 |
Prussian Model 1839/55 |
.70 Blackpowder |
6.02 kg |
1 Internal |
$411 |
Prussian Model 1839/55 |
.715 Blackpowder |
6.16 kg |
1 Internal |
$414 |
Prussian Model 1839/55 |
.615 Blackpowder |
5.36 kg |
1 Internal |
$392 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Prussian Model 1839/55 (.69) |
1/8 |
3 |
2-Nil |
10 |
2 |
Nil |
69 |
Prussian Model 1839/55 (.70) |
1/8 |
3 |
2-Nil |
10 |
3 |
Nil |
69 |
Prussian Model 1839/55 (.715) |
1/8 |
3 |
2-Nil |
10 |
3 |
Nil |
70 |
Prussian Model 1839/55 (.615) |
1/8 |
3 |
1-Nil |
10 |
2 |
Nil |
64 |
PS
Justice Rifled Musket
Notes: These
rifles, coming in Types I-III, were made in response to an emergency order by
the Union forces, Type I was built
from already made stocks and furniture, usually black walnut, and mostly
unseasoned; they tended to crack or warp with weather and abuse.
The rifling consisted of wide bands and shallow grooves.
It used long range rear sights. The lock and trigger were taken from
surplus Model 1816 Muskets, and the three barrel bands from Model 1840 or 1841
Muskets. The Type I had a 39-inch
barrel.
The barrel of
the Type II was, like the rest of the rifle, crudely made, something you might
find in a war emergency manufacture.
It has a browned barrel, but the rest of the metalwork was natural metal,
except for the brass buttplate. The
stocks were made from blanks, and were generally shipped out in their unseasoned
condition; they weren't black walnut, they were made of blackened
walnut. The trigger guard had a distinctive reverse bow, and there were no
provisions for sling swivels. It too had a 39-inch barrel.
The Type III,
unlike the others, was built from newly-manufactured parts, and had seasoned
black walnut stocks. The Type III
had a browned 39-inch barrel. Most
fittings were brass. The front
sight was a broad blade, and the rear sight a two-leaf adjustable sight.
The barrel was secured with wide barrel bands, three in number, with a
sling swivel at the top band and the rear swivel on the middle band.
Despite the
differences between the sub-models, all are identical in game terms.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
PS Justice Rifled Musket |
.69 Blackpowder |
5.62 kg |
1 Internal |
$248 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
PS Justice Rifled Musket |
1/8 |
3 |
2-Nil |
9 |
3 |
Nil |
62 |
Puckle Gun
Notes: The
Puckle Gun (also known as the Defence Gun) was a flintlock weapon that was years
ahead of its time; vaguely similar percussion revolvers were not available until
1814, nearly a hundred years after the Puckle Gun was first demonstrated.
The Puckle Gun was, astonishingly for 1717, the first example of a
revolving firearm. The ammunition
was loaded, one chamber at a time, into cassettes; the firing handle was
unscrewed, and the cassette inserted into the frame. Though loading a full
cassette was impractical on the battlefield (it took nearly an hour), the
cassette could be removed and another preloaded cassette inserted, which took
only 20 seconds. A cassette held 11 shots.
The entire gun sat on a tall tripod, allowing the firer to fire the gun
from a standing (and less fatiguing) position.
The Puckle Gun is fired in a manner similar to a standard flintlock --
the chamber was indexed, then powder placed on the pan and the cassette locked.
After firing a round, the cassette was unlocked and advanced by hand,
then the firing procedure begun anew. This seems complicated, but the Puckle Gun
was able to fire 9 shots per minute, where an experienced infantryman might be
able to manage as much as 5 shots per minute, and three was more likely. Aiming
is not it's strong point, and the Puckle gun has shorter range than is standard
for a flintlock rifle, though the 36-inch barrel mitigates this somewhat.
The muzzle of the barrel also has a fixture ahead of its time: a flash
suppressor, as well as another ahead-of-its-time features for a small arm, a
leaf sight. Puckle actually made
two versions of his gun: one which fired conventional round shot, and one which
fired square shot, to be used against the Turks "and other heretics."
However, though the square bullet was meant to cause more damage, the
actual increase in damage is not quantifiable in Twilight 2000 v2.2 terms, and
their flight path was unpredictable. Unlike most firearms of the period, the
Puckle Gun was made of brass instead of iron or steel.
It had no pistol grip or stock, though it had a primitive T&E mechanism.
Loaded cassettes weigh 0.92 kg; unloaded, they weigh 0.85 kg.
Alas, the Puckle
Gun could not pass the giggle test, despite its technical brilliance and
usefulness as a volley weapon. In addition, Puckle found investors who were
essentially feckless and insisted on decreased manufacturing standard before
they essentially stole Puckle's company's money, and the British Army itself and
the Crown would not invest in the strange firearm.
Though a few were built and employed, the Puckle Gun was basically a
failure, though no fault of Puckle's.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Puckle Gun |
32mm Blackpowder |
11.22 kg |
11 Cassette |
$945 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Puckle Gun |
1/2 |
8 |
2-3-4 |
10 |
5 |
Nil |
157 |
Remington Carbine
Notes: Two
chamberings for this carbine were made; the .46 Short, was the US Military
cartridge (Remington had a license
for the .46 Short, meant for their upcoming New Model Army revolver, but also
used in the Remington Carbine. Some
5000 were produced. The Remington
Carbine was also known as the Split Breech Remington, because it used a split
breech mechanism, an early version of the rolling block. Furniture is black
walnut, and metalwork is iron, including a case-hardened receiver. The fore-end
was short to save weight, and around this fore-end was the iron barrel band. The
front sight was a blade, and the rear a folding single adjustable leaf. The
barrel was round, 20 inches, and blued.
After the Civil War, it was common among civilians to modify the
Remington Carbine to use .56-50 Spencer, and to be used as hunting weapons or
general home defense weapons.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Remington Carbine |
.46 Smith & Wesson Short |
3.18 kg |
1 Internal |
$248 |
Remington Carbine |
.56-50 Spencer |
3.27 kg |
1 Internal |
$254 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Remington Carbine (.46) |
SS |
2 |
1-Nil |
5 |
3 |
Nil |
51 |
Remington Carbine (.56-50) |
SS |
3 |
1-Nil |
5 |
3 |
Nil |
48 |
Remington M-700ML
Notes: This is
the blackpowder counterpart to the great Remington Model 700 cartridge rifles,
using blackpowder inline operation.
The Model 700ML is otherwise a modern firearm, with a synthetic stock finished
in natural black or Mossy Oak camouflage.
The front sight can be a bead or a blade, and is dovetailed to allow
changes of front sight. The rear
sight is an open adjustable model.
The Model 700ML is also drilled and tapped for a scope mount.
The metalwork is finished in wither satin blue or stainless steel.
A Youth version with a shorter stock is available; but this is otherwise
the same as the standard Model 700ML.
Barrel is 24 inches.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Remington 700ML |
.45 Blackpowder |
3.52 kg |
1 Internal |
$570 |
Remington 700ML |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.57 kg |
1 Internal |
$577 |
Remington 700ML |
.54 Blackpowder |
3.62 kg |
1 Internal |
$585 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Remington 700ML (.45) |
1/5 |
2 |
1-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
82 |
Remington 700ML (.50) |
1/5 |
3 |
1-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
87 |
Remington 700ML (.54) |
1/5 |
3 |
2-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
91 |
Remington Model 1863 Contract Rifle
Notes: Also
known as the Zouave Rifle, this is a shortened version of the Springfield 1855;
it has a 33-inch blued barrel with 3-7 grooves in its bore (most have five).
The lock plates and lockwork is case-hardened; most other metalwork is
bright brass, including the metal parts of the ramrod.
The Model 1863 had only two barrel bands, but they are wider than normal.
The bayonet lug is large, locking the saber-type bayonet securely.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Model 1863 Contract Rifle |
.58 Minie Ball |
4.31 kg |
1 Internal |
$427 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Model 1863 Contract Rifle |
1/6 |
4 |
2-Nil |
8 |
4 |
Nil |
91 |
Robbins & Lawrence Windsor Rifle-Musket
Notes: Though
the official caliber for this rifle-musket is .577, a .58 Minie Ball will fit,
though it will be slightly tight. This is a copy of P-1853, with royalties paid
to the Windsor arsenal in England.
It was oriuginally meant to be re-sold in Europe, under the Pattern 1853.
They were meant for use in the Crimean War, but the Union side ended up
keeping the 16,000 rifles they had assembled, as well as buying back more from
the British. This was awkward,
because in the early parts of the Civil War, the British supported the
Confederate side. The three barrel
bands were soldered to the barrel, with an additional front sight blade soldered
in front. The rear sight was a
simple notch.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Robbins & Lawrence Windsor |
,577 Minie Ball |
4.16 kg |
1 Internal |
$483 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Robbins & Lawrence Windsor |
1/7 |
4 |
2-Nil |
9 |
4 |
Nil |
110 |
Ruger
M-77/50
Notes: Similar
in concept to the Remington 700ML, the Ruger M-77/50 is the blackpowder
counterpart to the Ruger M-77 cartridge rifle.
It uses inline ignition, and has a 22-inch barrel.
The stock may be laminated American hardwood or synthetic.
Sights consist of a gold bead front and a folding rear ladder/peep sight.
The Ruger M-77/50 has integral one-inch scope mounts, and comes with a
pair of one-inch scope rings. Metalwork may be blued or stainless steel.
Unlike most blackpowder weapons of this type, the Ruger M-77/50 has a
three-position safety. A variant
called the Officer’s Model has a checkered pistol grip wrist and fore-end and a
curved buttplate.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
M-77/50 |
.50 Blackpowder |
2.95 kg |
1 Internal |
$536 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
M-77/50 |
1/5 |
3 |
1-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
80 |
Savage 10ML
Notes: This is
another blackpowder weapon based on a cartridge rifle, in this case the Savage
Model 10/110 series. Like the
Remington and Ruger examples, it uses inline ignition, and has a stock which is
basically like that of its cartridge rifle counterpart which can be laminated
hardwood or synthetic (the synthetic stock may be black or camo finished).
The rear sights are adjustable, and the front sight is a ramp with a
fiberoptic inlay. The sights may be
deleted and the rifle bought with a factory installed scope (not included
below), but is normally drilled and tapped for a scope mount.
Metalwork may be blued or stainless steel.
Barrel is 24 inches.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Model 10ML |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.52 kg |
1 Internal |
$577 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Model 10ML |
1/5 |
3 |
1-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
87 |
Saxon
Model 1844 Rifled Musket
Notes: This
rifled musket was built under the direction of Liege, Belgium, though
manufacture was farmed out to several smaller armories.
Like many rifled muskets of the period, these started out as smoothbore,
but were rifled in the 1850s. Two
rear sights have been noted on these rifled muskets: a notched, block-mounted
sight, and a leaf site, plated in brass and with three sighting holes. Metalwork
is brass over iron. The barrel was left in bright metal steel.
It is not known how many were imported, nor who used it; it was used by
the Union side, however. Barrel
length is 42.75 inches.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Model 1844 Rifled Musket |
.71 Blackpowder |
6.05 kg |
1 Internal |
$541 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Model 1844 Rifled Musket |
1/8 |
3 |
2-Nil |
10 |
3 |
Nil |
68 |
Saxon
Model 1851 Rifle-Musket
Notes: The original design for
the Model 1851 used the Tige system, used to pre-expand the Minie Ball before
impact with flesh. In actuality,
the Tige system added unnecessary complexity to the rifle, and made the Minie
Ball unstable in flight, seriously degrading accuracy.
Therefore, the Tige system was quickly dropped, and few made it to the
world's armed forces. None of the
Model 1851s imported by the US used the Tige System. George Schuyler, the
purchasing agent for the Confederacy, secured 27,055 for the Confederacy, while
Marcellus Hartley, the purchasing agent for the Union, was only able to buy 1740
of these rifles. The Model 1851 was
often referred to as the Dresden Rifle, due to large numbers being imported into
Prussia through Dresden. The
39.75-inch barrel was secured with three bands; the front band also had the
blade front sight. The rear sight
was an adjustable leaf, graduated for 200, 400, and 600 paces (a pace being
about 30 inches). Model 1851s are
essentially modernized Model 1844.
And the Model
1857 is essentially a modernized Model 1851.
They were produced from 1857-1861.
Purchasing agents from the Union side of the American Civil War were
unable to get many of them, as demand in Europe for the rifle was so high.
The Confederates were unable to get any. It has a 41.75-inch barrel,
browned barrel, with otherwise bright metal finish and brass barrel bands with a
brass blade front sight. Furniture again is European Walnut.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Model 1851 Rifle-Musket |
.58 Minie Ball |
4.04 kg |
1 Internal |
$492 |
Model 1857 Rifle-Musket |
.58 Minie Ball |
4.17 kg |
1 Internal |
$511 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Model 1851 Rifle-Musket (Tige System) |
1/7 |
5 |
Nil |
9 |
4 |
Nil |
99 |
Model 1851 Rifle-Musket |
1/7 |
4 |
2-Nil |
9 |
4 |
Nil |
108 |
Model 1857 Rifle-Musket |
1/7 |
4 |
2-Nil |
10 |
4 |
Nil |
113 |
Sharps Model 1851 Carbine
These 1457
carbines were built for the 1st and 2nd US Dragoons, though not issued to them
until the Mexican War; they then saw service amongst the Confederates in the
Civil War; 60 were also issued to the US Marines.
They fired a combustible cartridge of paper or linen, tipped by a Minie
Ball. There were Type I and Type II
versions. Operation was by falling block; when fallen, the hammer base was
enclosed within the lock. The
firing pin was retained by a spring.
The operating lever was under the base of the fore-end and was squeezed
to open the breech. It used the
Maynard Tape Primer System, and was fired by percussion. On the left side of the
barrel band, extending to the frame, was a 9-inch sling bar and swivel.
All metalwork except for the 21.625-inch barrel was brass.
Some models had an implement box set into the left side of the stock;
this was also brass when present.
The Model 1851
Sporting Carbine, also known as the Model 1851 Carbine Type II, was originally
designed for civilian hunters rather than as a military weapon; only 400 were
built. Three calibers were
available, with a combustible case tipped by a Minie Ball.
They did not have the sling bar, and sometimes had a browned barrel. The
sling bar was omitted on the Type II, with the sling swivel being an eyebolt
screwed directly into the fore-end. They typically saw only private use by Union
troops in the Civil War, i.e., by soldiers or relatives and friends buying the
Sporting Carbine for soldiers on the lines.
Usually the heaviest calibers were sent to troops by their relatives and
friends, along with a copious supply of ammunition.
Some 400 of these carbines were produced.
The barrel was 21.625 inches and blued; some had blued and engraved
frames and lock plates.
The Model 1852
Carbine also fired a combustible paper or linen case tipped by a Minie Ball.
The Maynard tape system was abandoned in favor of Sharps' own
slanted-breech pellet primer system.
It has bright-finished barrels and brass metalwork.
The Type II was the sporting model (Sharps Model 1852 Sporting Carbine)
and approximately 600 were built.
The barrel could be octagonal or round. Again many found their way to the
troops in the conflict. Other than
loading times, these are identical to the Model 1851.
Barrels were 21.875 inches.
The Model 1853
is for the most part identical for game purposes Identical to the Type I Model
1852, The operating lever was a
spring-loaded stud, retaining the operating lever pin, and thus the latch was
directly on the breechblock. At
first, metalwork (except the barrel) were brass, but they were later blued iron.
The barrel was also blued.
Some had the 9-inch sling bar with sling swivel.
Some 900 were used by the Free Staters in Kansas, and took part in the
Bloody Kansas massacre. John
Brown's rebels had some 7000 on hand, though not all were used in the 1859 raid
on Harpers Ferry. These were later issued to Union troops.
For game purposes, it is identical to the Model 1852 Type I.
The Sharps Model
1855 was the last Sharps slanting block design, and the last to use the Maynard
Tape Primer System. It was in many
ways similar to the Model 1852 and Model 1853.
It had a 21.75-inch round barrel.
The Navy bought 101 of the same rifle, but used a .577 caliber round
fired from an 18-inch barrel. 50 of these were equipped with the rather useless
Rollins White cocking device. This
was difficult to use and prone to jamming, and these carbines were quickly
discarded. The Type II was the
same, but was the civilian version, identical to the Type I for game purposes.
The Type III was similar to the Type I, but had the caliber increased to
.577, and a 21-inch barrel which was usually round and blued.
The Type IV is similar to the Type III, but had an 18-inch or 19-inch
barrel. It was primarily issued to US Marines.
The Model 1859
Carbine used the Sharps Pellet Priming System, but this version of the system
also allowed for the use of conventional percussion caps.
It had a 22-inch barrel with a case-hardened frame, brass metalwork, and
a sling ring on the left side of the wrist.
The Model 1859
New Model Carbine used a gas check system that ensured that the breech remained
sealed until deliberately opened.
The sealing of the breechblock was advanced at the time.
3000 Early Models were built; 1500 were sold to Georgia, and 1500 to the
War Department. They had brass
metalwork except for the blued barrel.
The Late Model had all-iron construction except for the furniture, and
had an implement box on the left side of the stock, also iron.
Some 30,000 were bought by the War Department and 4000 by the US Navy,
and were primarily issued out to the Marines.
For game purposes, they are identical to the Model 1859 Carbine.
The Model 1863
New Model Carbine came in Early Models, which had an implement box, and the Late
Model, which didn't. Both used
all-iron metalwork. It is identical to the Model 1859 Carbine for game purposes.
Some 60,000 were built.
The Model 1865
New Model Carbine was virtually identical to the Model 1863 New Model Carbine.
5000 were built. They are
identical to the Model 1859 Carbine for game purposes.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Model 1851 Carbine Type I |
.52 Minie Ball (Combustible Cartridge) |
3.18 kg |
1 Internal |
$277 |
Model 1851 Sporting Carbine |
.36 Minie Ball (Combustible Cartridge) |
3.18 kg |
1 Internal |
$256 |
Model 1851 Sporting Carbine |
.44 Minie Ball (Combustible Cartridge) |
3.31 kg |
1 Internal |
$265 |
Model 1851 Sporting Carbine |
.52 Minie Ball (Combustible Cartridge) |
3.49 kg |
1 Internal |
$277 |
Model 1852 Carbine (Round Barrel) |
.52 Minie Ball (Combustible Cartridge) |
3.46 kg |
1 Internal |
$280 |
Model 1852 Carbine (Octagonal Barrel) |
.52 Minie Ball (Combustible Cartridge) |
3.48 kg |
1 Internal |
$285 |
Model 1855 Carbine Type I |
.52 Minie Ball (Combustible Cartridge) |
3.46 kg |
1 Internal |
$278 |
Model 1855 Carbine Type III |
.577 Minie Ball (Combustible Cartridge) |
3.59 kg |
1 Internal |
$282 |
Model 1855 Carbine Type IV (18" Barrel) |
.577 Minie Ball (Combustible Cartridge) |
3.49 kg |
1 Internal |
$252 |
Model 1855 Carbine Type IV (19" Barrel) |
.577 Minie Ball (Combustible Cartridge) |
3.53 kg |
1 Internal |
$262 |
Model 1859 Carbine |
.52 Minie Ball (Combustible Cartridge) |
3.52 kg |
1 Internal |
$271 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Model 1851 Carbine Type I |
1/2 |
3 |
2-Nil |
5 |
3 |
Nil |
53 |
Model 1851 Sporting Carbine (.36) |
1/2 |
2 |
1-Nil |
5 |
1 |
Nil |
47 |
Model 1851 Sporting Carbine (.44) |
1/2 |
2 |
1-Nil |
5 |
3 |
Nil |
50 |
Model 1851 Sporting Carbine (.52) |
1/2 |
3 |
2-Nil |
5 |
3 |
Nil |
53 |
Model 1852 Carbine (Round Barrel) |
SS |
3 |
2-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
54 |
Model 1852 Carbine (Octagonal Barrel) |
SS |
3 |
2-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
55 |
Model 1855 Carbine Type I |
1/2 |
3 |
2-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
54 |
Model 1855 Carbine Type III |
1/2 |
4 |
2-Nil |
5 |
4 |
Nil |
54 |
Model 1855 Carbine Type IV (18" Barrel) |
1/2 |
4 |
2-Nil |
5 |
4 |
Nil |
45 |
Model 1855 Carbine Type IV (19" Barrel) |
1/2 |
4 |
2-Nil |
5 |
4 |
Nil |
48 |
Model 1859 Carbine |
SS |
3 |
2-Nil |
5 |
3 |
Nil |
51 |
Sharps Model 1853
Notes: These
rifles all stem from the 1853 design.
They use a combustible cartridge based on nitrated paper or linen.
They used Sharps' own patented pellet-primer mechanism (essentially a
magazine for percussion caps); the mechanism held six caps.
Reloading the magazine takes 2 phases. The Model 1853 had a 27.325-inch
round, browned barrel, with the rest of the metalwork being brass, except for
the receiver, which was case-hardened steel.
One barrel band, an inch wide, secured the barrel about two-thirds of the
way up the fore-end. The butt had a
brass plate, and inside was a compartment for cleaning supplies.
The rear sight was an adjustable leaf and the front was a blade.
Production numbers were low, and they were made exclusively for the US
Navy.
The Model 1855 Type
was almost identical to the Model 1853; it was a bit heavier, primarily due to
the barrel lengthened to 28.25 inches.
It too was made for the Union Navy, but fewer than 200 were made and
delivered. Less than 50 of the Type
II were made; originally, the Type II had a mechanism that opened the bolt,
cocked the hammer, and loaded a percussion cap from the magazine with one
stroke. It proved very unreliable,
and those that were made had this mechanism removed, effectively making them
Type Is again. Only 12 of the Type IIs were made.
The Type III had a barrel lengthened to 39 inches (and intended for
sharpshooting), and made of bright steel.
The other metalwork was made in bright iron.
The Model 1859
was again similar to the 1853 and 1855, but a new breech block mechanism was
introduced, one that simplified production.
It was the straight breech, as opposed to the slanted breech of the
earlier rifles. The Type I version
had a 30-inch blued barrel and were built for the Union Army and Navy; some 4300
were built. The rest of the
metalwork, other than the barrel, were case-hardened iron. The Type II was
identical except for the use of a socketed spike bayonet instead of a saber-type
bayonet. The Type III had a 36-inch barrel and was made for sharpshooters; 600
were made. 2000 Type IVs were made;
they were issued only to COL Hiram Berdan's 1st and 2nd Regiments, US
Sharpshooters. They had double set triggers and 30-inch round blued barrels.
The Models 1863
Types I & II were identical for game purposes to the Models 1859 Types I & II.
About 7150 of these were built.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Sharps Model 1853 |
.52 Minie Ball (Breechloading) |
3.97 kg |
1 Internal |
$683 |
Sharps Model 1855 Type I/II |
.52 Minie Ball (Breechloading) |
4.08 kg |
1 Internal |
$692 |
Sharps Model 1855 Type III |
.52 Minie Ball (Breechloading) |
4.39 kg |
1 Internal |
$801 |
Sharps Model 1859 Type I/II/IV |
.52 Minie Ball (Breechloading) |
3.97 kg |
1 Internal |
$710 |
Sharps Model 1855 Type III |
.52 Minie Ball (Breechloading) |
4.14 kg |
1 Internal |
$771 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Sharps Model 1853 |
1/3 |
3 |
2-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
81 |
Sharps Model 1855 Type I/II |
1/3 |
3 |
2-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
84 |
Sharps Model 1855 Type III |
1/3 |
3 |
2-Nil |
9 |
3 |
Nil |
115 |
Sharps Model 1859 Type I/II/IV |
1/3 |
3 |
2-Nil |
8 |
3 |
Nil |
91 |
Sharps Model 1855 Type III |
1/3 |
3 |
2-Nil |
9 |
3 |
Nil |
107 |
Sharps & Hankins Model 1861
Notes: This
rifle was designed for US Marines actively stationed aboard ships, and only
about 700 were produced. It fired a
specially-designed rimfire metallic cartridge round.
It fired via a simple cocking lever; the barrel slid forward and the
shooter put a fresh round into the breech and closed it again with the same
lever he used to open the breech, with the barrel pulling back into the breech.
The barrel was a bit long at 32.75 inches, and it was browned.
Most of the metalwork was case-hardened, but the buttplate was brass.
The stock was secured to the barrel by four barrel bands.
The Model 1862
was a "carbine" variant, with a 27-inch barrel and no fore-end, barrel bands, or
bayonet lug. The firing pin was moved inside the receiver, and it had a
lubricating aperture on the side of the frame. This version was not well
received and few were built.
The Model 1862
Army Carbine had a 23.625-inch blued barrel.
The firing pin is connected to the hammer in early models; later, the
firing pin was a part in of itself and was in the rear of the frame. The breech
opened via an operating lever connected to the trigger guard.
Most metal parts other than the barrel were case-hardened; unlike most
rifles and carbines of the time, most of the parts were steel instead of iron.
Some had no fore-end, but most had a short fore-end, not much longer than to
provide gripping space. The Model
1862 Cavalry is basically the same, but with a short 19-inch barrel.
The Model 1862 Cavalry was used exclusively by the 9th and 11th New York
Volunteer Cavalry Regiments. The Model 1862 Navy Carbine was much more produced
than any other of the variations of this rifle, with 11,000 being produced for
the Union Navy and Marines. It is
almost identical to the Army Carbine, but had a leather cover over the barrel to
help prevent rusting. For game
purposes, it is identical to the Army Carbine.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Model 1861 Rifle |
56-.52 Sharps |
3.63 kg |
1 Internal |
$1216 |
Model 1862 Carbine |
56-.52 Sharps |
3.5 kg |
1 Internal |
$1216 |
Model 1862 Army Carbine |
56-.52 Sharps |
3.46 kg |
1 Internal |
$688 |
Model 1862 Cavalry Carbine |
56-.52 Sharps |
3.34 kg |
1 Internal |
$641 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Model 1861 Rifle |
SS |
3 |
2-Nil |
8 |
3 |
Nil |
105 |
Model 1862 Carbine |
SS |
3 |
2-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
83 |
Model 1862 Army Carbine |
SS |
3 |
2-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
64 |
Model 1862 Cavalry Carbine |
SS |
3 |
2-Nil |
5 |
3 |
Nil |
51 |
Spencer Army Rifle
Notes: The
Spencer is often said to be the best firearm of the Civil War.
It was innovative, near-soldier-proof, used the rapid fire capabilities
inherent in its design, and eliminated the possibilities of wet powder.
It was often the first time most Confederate soldiers had faced soldiers
armed with repeating rifles. It was procured by the Union government and the
soldiers alike, and the first government order was signed by Abraham Lincoln
himself, after testing the prototypes brought to the White House by designer
Christopher Miner Spencer.
Procurement was limited only by the ability of the Spencer Repeating Rifle
Company itself; the Union would have bought as many as they could make.
In addition, many soldiers sent home their meager pay, with instructions
to buy the soldier a Spencer Rifle or Carbine and as much ammo as possible.
Custer’s regiment, composed of the 5th and 7th Michigan
Cavalry, was armed almost exclusively with Spencer Carbines (and revolvers). The
lever-action mechanism was designed by Christopher Spencer himself; the patent
was registered with the US government in March 1860 and manufacture, at first
for civilians, began almost immediately; the War Department ordered their first
batch, at first for the Navy, in 1861. The design placed the tubular magazine in
the butt; cartridges were loaded from the back of the tube, nose-first, followed
by a spring-loaded follower. Boxes
of tin-tube quickloaders with a capacity of 6, 10, or 13 rounds were issued to
Spencer-carrying troops starting in 1864. The blued barrel was 30 inches; to a
military that is used to barrels sometimes over 40 inches, this was a carbine,
though by today's measurement, it is a rather long-barreled rifle. The receiver
and mechanism were case-hardened.
The rear sight was a single adjustable leaf, while the front sight was a blade.
The Navy Rifle
was essentially the same, expect for its markings.
It was primarily issued to Marines.
Prototypes of the Army Rifle were available to Union Cavalry as early as
the battle of Antietam in September of 1862; an improved version of the Army
Rifle, as well as the Army Carbine, was available soon after that battle, though
not made general issue until after the Battle of Gettysburg.
(Nonetheless, decent numbers of Spencer Rifles and Carbines were used in
that battle.) For game purposes,
the Prototype Rifle and the Army Rifle are identical, except for the caliber.
The Rifle-Musket
was not really a musket in any way; the term more denotes the increased length
of the barrel. The barrel was 38
inches long, and the extra length was designed for sharpshooters.
The Spencer
Model 1860 Carbine was a shorter version of the Army Rifle; it had a 22-Inch
barrel. Though available in 1860,
Union purchases and issue did not start until 1863.
By then, a large number of Union soldiers were already using the Spencer
Carbine, bought by soldiers or their families and friends and used in the Civil
War as early as 1861. The Model 1865 was little used in the Civil War, as they
were not available until early 1865.
Eventually, 21,511 were produced.
The Model 1865 used a shorter 20-Inch barrel and a different cartridge
than the Model 1860. Both used a
tubular magazine in the stock, and both were cocked by using the enlarged
trigger guard. The Model 1865 had a cutoff switch, allowing the shooter to load
one shot at a time instead of feeding from the magazine.
The Union bought over 30,000 of the Model 1865 Burnside Contract
Carbines; most didn't see combat in the Civil War due to their late entry.
For game purposes, both Model 1865s are identical.
Spencers also
found a home in other countries’ armies, including Mexico, France (during the
Franco-Prussian War of 1871), where thousands of Spencers of all types were
used. Modern reproductions have
been seen in the movie The Unforgiven,
and many Civil War reenactors and Cowboy Action shooters use modern adaptations
of them. These reproductions are
sometimes rechambered and reworked to use modern blackpowder rifle calibers.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Spencer Prototype Army Rifle |
.56-56 Spencer |
4.35 kg |
7 Tubular |
$1047 |
Spencer Model 1860 Army Rifle |
.56-52 Spencer |
4.54 kg |
7 Tubular |
$1177 |
Spencer Model 1860 Rifle-Musket |
.56-52 Spencer |
4.71 kg |
7 Tubular |
$1258 |
Spencer Model 1860 Carbine |
.56-52 Spencer |
3.74 kg |
7 Tubular |
$1096 |
Spencer Model 1865 Carbine |
.50-52 Spencer |
3.63 kg |
7 Tubular |
$1011 |
Spencer Reproduction Rifle |
.56-50 Spencer |
4.32 kg |
7 Tubular |
$1065 |
Spencer Reproduction Rifle |
.44-40 Winchester |
4.18 kg |
7 Tubular |
$983 |
Spencer Reproduction Rifle |
.45 Long Colt |
4.3 kg |
7 Tubular |
$1050 |
Spencer Reproduction Carbine |
.56-50 Spencer |
3.56 kg |
7 Tubular |
$963 |
Spencer Reproduction Carbine |
.44-40 Winchester |
3.44 kg |
7 Tubular |
$881 |
Spencer Reproduction Carbine |
.45 Long Colt |
3.54 kg |
7 Tubular |
$949 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Spencer Prototype Army Rifle |
LA |
3 |
1-Nil |
8 |
2 |
Nil |
74 |
Spencer Model 1860 Army Rifle |
LA |
3 |
2-Nil |
8 |
3 |
Nil |
85 |
Spencer Model 1860 Rifle-Musket |
LA |
3 |
2-Nil |
9 |
2 |
Nil |
109 |
Spencer Model 1860 Carbine |
LA |
3 |
2-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
59 |
Spencer Model 1865 Carbine |
LA |
3 |
2-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
53 |
Spencer Reproduction Rifle |
LA |
3 |
2-Nil |
8 |
2 |
Nil |
82 |
Spencer Reproduction Rifle |
LA |
4 |
1-1-Nil |
7 |
2 |
Nil |
106 |
Spencer Reproduction Rifle (.45) |
LA |
3 |
1-Nil |
8 |
2 |
Nil |
106 |
Spencer Reproduction Carbine (.56-50) |
LA |
3 |
2-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
51 |
Spencer Reproduction Carbine (.44-40) |
LA |
4 |
1-1-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
67 |
Spencer Reproduction Carbine (.45) |
LA |
3 |
1-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
67 |
Springfield Joslyn Model 1861
Notes: The first
breechloading rifle to be built in large numbers, the Joslyn was made for
general issue, though it was not issued to Union troops until 1865, shortly
before the end of the Civil War.
Joslyn was a subcontractor of Springfield. Two versions were built: the Army
version, which fired a .52 caliber bullet, the Navy version (Model 1862), which
fired a .58-caliber bullet. Both
were metallic cartridges. The Model
1864 could fire the Spencer .56-52 cartridge or the Joslyn .54 cartridges. It
also had a number of small improvements.
The Model 1865 had a slightly different action, not measureable in
Twilight 2000 v2.2 rules. Barrel
length was 35.5 inches; it was round and blued. Three bands connected to the
fore-end.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Joslyn Model 1861 |
56-52 Spencer |
4.61 kg |
1 Internal |
$808 |
Joslyn Model 1862 |
.58 Springfield Rimfire |
4.92 kg |
1 Internal |
$970 |
Joslyn Model 1864 |
.56-52 Spencer |
4.61 kg |
1 Internal |
$808 |
Joslyn Model 1864 |
.50-40-640 Joslyn |
4.58 kg |
1 Internal |
$960 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Joslyn Model 1861 |
SS |
3 |
2-Nil |
9 |
3 |
Nil |
113 |
Joslyn Model 1862 |
SS |
4 |
2-3-Nil |
9 |
4 |
Nil |
119 |
Joslyn Model 1864 |
SS |
3 |
2-Nil |
9 |
3 |
Nil |
113 |
Joslyn Model 1864 |
SS |
4 |
2-3-Nil |
9 |
4 |
Nil |
123 |
Springfield Model 1841 Rifle
Notes: Though
these rifles were assembled at the Springfield Armory, the parts were actually
made at the Harpers Ferry Arsenal.
It called by many names, including Mississippi Rifle, Windsor Rifle, Harpers
Ferry Rifle, Whitney Rifle, Remington Rifle, Yarger Rifle.
These names were connected to subcontractors who assembled or even
manufactured the Model 1841 Rifle.
The Model 1841 Rifle was actually a Rifled Musket, as it fired a ball down a
rifled barrel and not a Minie Ball.
The Model 1841 was replaced in 1855 by the Model 1855 Rifle-Musket, which
was actually a rifle; this was a
direct order from the Secretary of War.
The Model 1841 was not rifled at first; it was a musket, unrifled.
The Corps of Cadets as West Point received the Model 1841 Rifles for
purposes of training underclassmen after they had been declared obsolete.
The Model 1841 had a V-notch rear sight and a brass blade front sight; it
had three barrel bands secured by screws.
These sights were later upgraded for precision by Harpers Ferry, as there
were complaints about the accuracy of the rifle because of its sights.
The left side of the rifle had a patch box set into the left side of
buttstock, and it was of pretty substantial size.
The barrel is a short and reasonably manageable 36.375 inches.
Subcontractors
for the Model 1841 included Remington; Robbins, Kendall and Lawrence, Robbins &
Lawrence (not the same company), Tryon & Son, and Whitney.
Confederate copies were made largely in South Carolina at Palmetto,
though some were made in Northern armories for state militias before the Civil
War began.
There were a
number of modifications and alterations made to the basic Model 1841 pattern.
Almost all of these modifications were done by the Harpers Ferry Arsenal.
Most were variations in the sights, the barrel bands, or the bayonet
used, though the first alteration was to fire Minie Balls.
After the Fourth Alteration, the caliber was stepped up to .58 caliber,
and the second pattern bayonet was used.
The Linder Modification was a major modification designed to use
combustible paper cartridges, essentially turning it into breechloading rifle.
(It's conceptually similar to an inline.) The rear leaf sights were modified to
take into account the more standardized ballistics.
Modifications were applied to Confederate rifles as they were captured
and brought in to armories.
One of these
Confederate rifles based on the Model 1841 was the Asheville Armory Rifle, which
was based on the 1st Alteration.
The C Chapman Rifle was based on the 4th Alteration.
There were dozens of others; they were often handmade in individual
workshops and may not have necessarily had interchangeable parts or high
production numbers.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Model 1841 Rifle |
.54 Blackpowder |
4.41 kg |
1 Internal |
$323 |
Model 1841 Rifle (1st Alteration) |
.54 Minie Ball |
4.41 kg |
1 Internal |
$443 |
Model 1841 Rifle (4th Alteration) |
.58 Minie Ball |
4.6 kg |
1 Internal |
$459 |
Model 1841 Rifle (Linder Modification) |
.58 Minie Ball, Combustible Cartridge |
4.75 kg |
1 Internal |
$483 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Model 1841 Rifle |
1/8 |
2 |
1-Nil |
8 |
2 |
Nil |
50 |
Model 1841 Rifle (1st Alteration) |
1/6 |
3 |
2-Nil |
9 |
3 |
Nil |
95 |
Model 1841 Rifle (4th Alteration) |
1/6 |
4 |
2-Nil |
9 |
4 |
Nil |
100 |
Model 1841 Rifle (Linder Modification) |
1/5 |
4 |
2-Nil |
9 |
4 |
Nil |
105 |
Springfield Cadet Musket Model 1841
Notes: This
musket was designed and specially made for cadets at West Point; as a result,
Springfield made just enough for West Point to use (about 450). It was in West
Point service until 1856; when the Civil War broke out, when it was pressed into
service. The Cadet Musket had no rear sight and has three barrel bands.
Most had a 40-inch barrel with three securing bands; it may have been a
later modification, perhaps only a field modification, but examples have also
been found with 31-inch and 34-inch barrels. Ignition is by percussion.
Many of the
Cadet Muskets received rifled barrels starting in 1857; some 341 were so rifled.
The contract was drawn up in 1851, so the nomenclature was Rifled Cadet
Musket Model 1851. These had
40-inch barrels, but not the shorter barrels. They were equipped with long-range
rear sights. These were finished bright except for the buttplate and barrel
bands, which were brass.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Cadet Musket 1841 (40" Barrel) |
.57 Blackpowder |
4.27 kg |
1 Internal |
$227 |
Cadet Musket 1841 (34" Barrel) |
.57 Blackpowder |
3.86 kg |
1 Internal |
$196 |
Cadet Musket 1841 (31" Barrel) |
.57 Blackpowder |
3.66 kg |
1 Internal |
$183 |
Rifled Cadet Musket Model 1851 |
.57 Blackpowder |
4.68 kg |
1 Internal |
$379 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Cadet Musket 1841 (40") |
1/6 |
3 |
2-Nil |
9 |
4 |
Nil |
38 |
Cadet Musket 1841 (34") |
1/6 |
3 |
2-Nil |
8 |
4 |
Nil |
36 |
Cadet Musket 1841 (31") |
1/6 |
3 |
2-Nil |
7 |
4 |
Nil |
30 |
Rifled Cadet Musket Model 1851 |
1/8 |
3 |
2-Nil |
9 |
3 |
Nil |
63 |
Springfield Model 1855 Rifle-Musket
Notes: The winds
of war had been blowing since well before the outbreak of hostilities in the
Civil War, and the North was attempting to modernize as quickly as they could
get funding. The Model 1855 and
later rifles were attempts at this.
The Model 1855 were the first American firearms to use the Minie Ball instead of
a round ball for ammunition, though it was still a muzzleloader.
This rifle was made in Massachusetts by Springfield, as well as at
Harpers Ferry (now in West Virginia, then in Virginia), and by Eli Whitney's
company in Connecticut. Springfield
also built a much smaller number of rifles for the training of the Corps of
Cadets at West Point. The Model
1855 used the Maynard tape primer system, where percussion caps were embedded in
paper and (theoretically) could be easily moved from on cap to another, much
like a child's cap gun. In
actuality, the tape would get wet in rainy weather or even normal use and fall
to pieces quickly, negating the advantages of a tape primer system.
It was nonetheless being used through the Civil War; even captured
examples were duplicated by the Confederates.
There were generally three types of these rifles produced; Type I had a
long-base notch-type rear sight, adjustable for long and short range, and
metalwork was bright iron in finish.
Type II used a smaller two-leaf sight, also adjustable for long or short
range. Type II used an iron
fore-tip and a patch and maintenance box was set inside the right side of the
buttstock. Barrels for the standard
rifle were 40 inches long; for the Cadet Rifle, 38 inches (and a stock 1 inch
shorter). The first number under ROF is for when the tape primer system is
working properly; the second is for the usual, when it is not working.
The Model 1861
was roughly the same, but corrected numerous deficiencies of the Model 1855.
It was the primary rifle of the Civil War, and produced by Springfield,
Eagle, Colt, Alfred Jenks & Son, Whitneyville Armory, William Mason, ASH Waters
James D Mowry, and some 27 other armories large and small, in a practice similar
to the way World War 2 firearms would be manufactured about 78 years later.
It dispensed with the tape primer system.
Most of the metalwork was finished bright, except for the rear sights,
which were blued. As designed, they
had two-leaf long/short range sights, but many were supplied with Model 1858
sights. The stock was walnut and oil-finished.
Barrels continued to be at 40 inches, and the caliber remained the same.
All had the patch box in the right buttstock.
The Confederate
armory at Richmond, Virginia made a near-copy (close enough for game purposes)
of the Springfield Model 1855. calling it the Richmond Armory Rifle-Musket.
It was the primary Confederate small arm throughout the Civil War.
It however did not use the Maynard tape primer system.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Model 1855 Rifle-Musket |
.58 Minie Ball |
4.2 kg |
1 Internal |
$494 |
Model 1858 Cadet Rifle-Musket |
.58 Minie Ball |
4.11 kg |
1 Internal |
$475 |
Model 1861 Rifle-Musket |
.58 Minie Ball |
4.16 kg |
1 Internal |
$494 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Model 1855 Rifle-Musket |
1/5 (1/7) |
4 |
2-Nil |
9 |
4 |
Nil |
108 |
Model 1858 Cadet Rifle-Musket |
1/5 (1/7) |
4 |
2-Nil |
9 |
4 |
Nil |
103 |
Model 1861 Rifle-Musket |
1/7 |
4 |
2-Nil |
9 |
4 |
Nil |
108 |
Starr
Carbine
Notes: Another
weapon that soldiers or their families and friends frequently bought for use in
the Civil War, the Starr came in two versions that at first seem to be quite
different from each other. The
Starr Percussion Carbine was fired by loading a combustible case of paper or
linen, with a Minie Ball at its tip.
The Starr Carbine saw considerable use in the Western Campaign of the
Civil War, on both sides -- it was built from 1858 until 1865, and most of the
1st Arkansas Volunteer Cavalry Regiment were armed with Starr Percussion
Carbines. The breech was opened
using the lever, which was an enlarged trigger guard.
The round, blued barrel was 21 inches in most of the Starr Percussion
Carbines, though early in the production run the barrel was 18 inches.
The breech, lever, and action are case-hardened, but the barrel band and
the buttplate are brass. A sling
ring on a bar was on the left side; the sling ring is large enough to be
attached to a Cavalryman's saddle.
The Starr
Carbine fires a different caliber, and uses rimfire cartridges instead of the
combustible case. However, they
essentially have the same action, with some adjustments to allow it to take
metallic cartridges. In less than
one month, March to April 1865, Starr tested, built and delivered 5,002 of these
carbines to the Union, and they were all issued out, though they did not see
much action.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Starr Percussion Carbine (18" Barrel) |
.54 Combustible Cartridge |
3.27 kg |
1 Internal |
$634 |
Starr Percussion Carbine (21" Barrel) |
.54 Combustible Cartridge |
3.35 kg |
1 Internal |
$664 |
Starr Carbine |
.52-56 Sharps |
3.35 kg |
1 Internal |
$668 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Starr Percussion Carbine (18" Barrel) |
1/3 |
3 |
2-Nil |
5 |
3 |
Nil |
44 |
Starr Percussion Carbine (21" Barrel) |
1/3 |
3 |
2-Nil |
5 |
3 |
Nil |
52 |
Starr Carbine |
SS |
3 |
2-Nil |
5 |
3 |
Nil |
57 |
Thompson/Center Black Diamond
Notes: This
weapon has a modern stock, but standard percussion ignition and muzzleloading.
It can use standard percussion caps or inline-type primers for ignition.
The stock is synthetic with checkering on the pistol grip wrist and
fore-end. Stock color may be black,
faux black walnut, or Realtree Hardwoods camo.
The rear sight is a click-adjustable steel peep sight, and the front
sight is a ramp. Both have
fiberoptic inserts, and the Black Diamond is drilled and tapped for a scope.
Metalwork may be blued or stainless steel.
The XR (Xtended Range) variant has a 32-inch barrel, as opposed to the
26-inch barrel of the Black Diamond.
Standard caliber is .50, but .45 is available upon request. The Black
Diamond and XR are not rifled, unlike most modern blackpowder weapons.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Black Diamond |
.45 Blackpowder |
3.06 kg |
1 Internal |
$255 |
Black Diamond |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.09 kg |
1 Internal |
$258 |
XR |
.45 Blackpowder |
3.31 kg |
1 Internal |
$219 |
XR |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.34 kg |
1 Internal |
$235 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Black Diamond (.45) |
1/6 |
2 |
1-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
22 |
Black Diamond (.50) |
1/6 |
3 |
1-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
24 |
XR (.45) |
1/6 |
2 |
1-Nil |
8 |
3 |
Nil |
27 |
XR (.50) |
1/6 |
3 |
1-Nil |
8 |
3 |
Nil |
28 |
Thompson/Center Omega
Notes: A modern
inline weapon, the Omega is made primarily of synthetic furniture with blued
metalwork. The furniture may be black, RealTree Hardwoods, or gray. It has a
lever-action system, allowing one to load the primer from the breech rather than
the muzzle, and to easily and safely clear duds. Atop the receiver it is drilled
and tapped for a scope, with auxiliary iron sights consisting of a
click-adjustable fiberoptic rear and a TruGlo fiberoptic dovetailed front sight.
It has a rifled barrel 26 inches long. The breechblock cannot be lowered unless
the hammer is fully cocked back, and vice versa.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Omega |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.46 kg |
1 Internal |
$332 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Omega |
1/5 |
3 |
1-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
87 |
Traditions Vortek Ultralight LDR
Notes: Despite
being a blackpowder break-open muzzle-loading rifle, the Ultralight LDR is a
modern inline weapon. The
Ultralight LDR has no iron sights, but does have a MIL-STD-1913 over the
receiver. The stock and fore-end
are of Synthetic Hougue Overmold, and may be had in Black or Reaper Buck (a
Camouflage design). Metalwork is of
chrome/moly steel, with a Cerekote finish.
The Ultralight LDR is in fact quite light in weight for the size of the
weapon, largely due to its synthetic stock.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Vortek Ultralight LDR |
.50 Blackpowder |
3.08 kg |
1 Internal |
$699 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Vortek Ultralight LDR |
1/5 |
2 |
1-Nil |
6 |
1 |
Nil |
93 |
Triplett & Scott Repeating Rifle
Notes: Made by
Meriden Manufacturing, the Triplett & Scott is names for its two designers --
who borrowed heavily from Spencer's design.
Kentucky bought 3000 of these rifles in 1865 and the Civil War was nearly
over, but began to dispose of them in 1868, selling them off to entities like
youth shooting programs, civilians, and state militias.
Like Spencer's design, the Triplett & Scott is fed by a 7-round tubular
magazine in the buttstock. To
reload, the barrel is rolled aside 120 degrees, giving access to the
spring-loaded magazine. It was shorter and handier than a Spencer Rifle, with a
27.5-inch barrel. Most of the
metalwork was blued iron, with the exception of the buttplate; even the single
barrel band was blued iron. The
front sight was a blade and the rear sight an adjustable leaf.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Triplett & Scott |
.50-52 Spencer |
4.24 kg |
7 Tubular |
$1087 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Triplett & Scott |
LA |
3 |
2-Nil |
7 |
3 |
Nil |
77 |
Wesson Military Carbine
Notes:
Manufactured by Frank Wesson's company, the Wesson Military Carbine was known
for being light and handy. It uses
a break-open action, like most modern single-barrel firearms.
Wesson started building them in 1859.
The barrel was an octagonal 24-inch barrel which was blued.
The barrel is steel, though the rest of the metalwork is iron.
The front sight is a blade, and the rear a folding leaf sight.
The stock was black walnut; the fore-end was very short, not much more
than required to hold the rifle still.
The Type I did not have the automatic extractor of later models.
Sling rings were to the rear of the cocking lever and at the front.
Cocking was done by pressing the trigger to the front of the trigger
guard.
The Type I
Kittredge (named for the arms dealer who sold the US government the carbines)
was for game purposes the same as the Type I.
Most were used by troops raised in Indiana.
The Type II Wesson Carbine was also the same as the Type I for game
purposes, but differed somewhat mechanically, with the "oscillating lock"
located on left side of the breech.
It had an automatic extractor. It
was not used by the military; it was sold only as a sporting carbine.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Wesson Military Carbine |
.44 Henry Rimfire |
2.61 kg |
1 Internal |
$504 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Wesson Military Carbine |
SS |
2 |
1-Nil |
6 |
3 |
Nil |
60 |
Whitney Model 1861 Navy Rifle
Notes: This
rifle is often called the Plymouth Rifle because the Whitney 1861 was tested on
the USS Plymouth for eventual general
use by Union Navy sailors. The sailors were allowed a lot of latitude on
modifying and improving the design as long as the basic design remained intact.
The Whitney 1861 therefore had a barrel length, sights, bayonet, and butt
trap that had a lot of input from the actual naval personnel who would have to
use it. The result was a rifle that
had a lot in common with the late Springfield designs, but was higher-caliber to
tear sails and blast through wood planks to kill the enemy sailors behind them.
It had a relatively short 34-inch barrel so it would not be unwieldy on
deck, and it had more stock to help keep it steady on a rolling deck.
It had two wide barrel bands, and a rear leaf sight and a front bead
sight. The ramrod had the
interesting feature of being cupped to fit around a Minie Ball.
Metalwork is blued, and the stock is of Black Walnut.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Model 1861 Navy Rifle |
.69 Minie Ball |
4.37 kg |
1 Internal |
$494 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Model 1861 Navy Rifle |
1/6 |
5 |
2-3-Nil |
9 |
4 |
Nil |
99 |
Whitney Model 1855-Derivative Rifle for Militia
Notes: Produced
only in small numbers for smaller state militia units, these rifles were
essentially shortened versions of the Springfield 1855.
They used a 33-inch browned barrel with otherwise bright metal, and Black
Walnut furniture. They used a
tangent-type rear sight with a block and blade front sight.
The lockwork was unmilled and could be a bit crude, and the "Militia
Rifle" used the Maynard Tape Primer system.
It used a saber-type bayonet that fastened to a socket on the right side
of the barrel.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Model 1855-Derivative Rifle |
.58 Minie Ball |
3.87 kg |
1 Internal |
$427 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Model 1855-Derivative Rifle |
1/6 |
4 |
2-Nil |
8 |
4 |
Nil |
91 |
Whitworth Rifle
Notes: The
Whitworth Rifle was part of a design process to replace or upgrade the Pattern
1853 Enfield; this design process sort of presaged the modern design competition
philosophy, and the Whitworth Rifle was one of those contenders. The Whitworth
rifle was eventually cut from the competition by the British Army in 1857,
though the British were able to sell the design in small numbers to the new
French Army and the Confederate Army.
The Whitworth saw its last official military use by the Foreign Legion in
1861. The Whitworth was an accurate
rifle, but difficult to reload quickly.
Even skirmishers (the ancestors of today’s snipers), though they liked
the Whitworth’s accuracy, did not appreciate the Whitworth’s reloading time,
though they did appreciate the light weight vs. accuracy. However, shooters in
the budding civilian competition shooting clubs of the time quickly snapped up
the decommissioned Whitworths; they saw in the Whitworth a very accurate rifle,
and in civilian competition, the long reloading times didn’t matter much.
For Sir Joseph
Whitworth, round barrels, even when rifled, were simply too long to produce the
desired accuracy – some 800 meters was desired, which was a very long range by
the technology of the period.
Whitworth thought that a barrel with very “hard” rifling would produce better
accuracy – and they did; skirmishers and sharpshooters were able to wring
sometimes 1600 meters out of the Whitworth, which is approaching modern
standards. Whitworth achieved this
by using a barrel with a twisting hexagonal shape, so that the matching
hexagonal cross-sectional matching bullets couldn’t help but rotate with the
rifling – and the rifling rate could be adjusted as necessary. (Whitworth
standardized on a 1-20 twist, about twice that of an equivalent rifle of today.)
The Confederates
employed the Whitworth among their sharpshooters during the Civil War, where
they were sometimes topped by some of the first riflescopes in history.
The US Civil War also supplied the death knell for the Whitworth – they
were much more prone to fouling due to the tight and rigid rifling, and in the
Whitworth’s barrel, this just made reloading longer; in a heavy battle, this
could drop (in T2K terms) to a 1/12 or longer.
(The time in the charts below is with a clean bore.) The sharpshooter was
essentially cleaning the bore of an already difficult-to-clean bore every time
he reloaded, and in a badly fouled bore, the shooter was literally jamming the
bullet, powder, and patch down the barrel with all his force.
This also changed the ballistics of each round fired, lowering effective
range.
(To simulate this effect, increase
time to reload by one per eight consecutive shots taken without cleaning the
bore. Per eight consecutive shots,
decrease short range below by two.)
The range of a Whitworth, when
everything was working right and topped with a scope, could be magnetic to
Confederate sharpshooters. One of
the posters to Juhlin’s Forum had on his sig line the last words of Union
General John Sedgwick, which were something like, “They couldn’t hit an elephant
at this dis--” and was then shot below the right eye, it is believed, with a
Whitworth rifle. (Five sharpshooters claimed the kill, but all had Whitworth
rifles.)
There were
several barrel lengths available to Whitworth shooters – 33, 36, and 39 inches.
(The Confederates typically used 33-inch barrels.) Though the hexagonal
bullet was the most common, a hollow round ball was also employed, which
expanded into the hexagonal bore of the Whitworth. They were effective, but did
not have the range or hitting power of the hexagonal bullet; they
were easier to make. The shape of the
hexagonal bullet created more striking power and penetration (in T2K terms).
Modern
reproductions are made by Parker Hale, Pedersoli, and Euro Arms; they have a
greater standard of metalwork, but are otherwise faithful reproductions.
They are quite popular among Civil War reenactors, and in modern
blackpowder target competitions, often hit targets at 600 meters or more.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Whitworth Rifle (33” Barrel) |
.45 Blackpowder Hexagonal Bullet or Hollow Ball |
4.08 kg |
1 Internal |
$557 |
Whitworth Rifle (36” Barrel) |
.45 Blackpowder Hexagonal Bullet or Hollow Ball |
4.2 kg |
1 Internal |
$657 |
Whitworth Rifle (39” Barrel) |
.45 Blackpowder Hexagonal Bullet or Hollow Ball |
4.33 kg |
1 Internal |
$668 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Whitworth Rifle (Hex Bullet, 33” Barrel) |
1/8 |
3 |
1-1-Nil |
7 |
2 |
Nil |
99 |
Whitworth Rifle (Hex Bullet, 36” Barrel) |
1/8 |
3 |
1-1-Nil |
8 |
2 |
Nil |
108 |
Whitworth Rifle (Hex Bullet, 39” Barrel) |
1/8 |
3 |
1-1-Nil |
8 |
2 |
Nil |
116 |
Whitworth Rifle (Round Bullet, 33” Barrel) |
1/7 |
2 |
1-Nil |
7 |
2 |
Nil |
83 |
Whitworth Rifle (Round Bullet, 36” Barrel) |
1/7 |
2 |
1-Nil |
8 |
2 |
Nil |
90 |
Whitworth Rifle (Round Bullet, 39” Barrel) |
1/7 |
2 |
1-Nil |
8 |
2 |
Nil |
96 |