Weapons of the American Civil War

Hint

Estimated Number used

Answer

The most present weapon; for the USA it was the Springfield 1861/1863 and for the CSA it was the 1855 Model Enfield

3,500,000

Most saw this useless as a weapon, but great as a tool for cooking, digging and can opening. However, the 20th Maine used them to great effect at Gettysburg.

1,500,000

More a symbol of authority than an effective battlefield weapon, this was reserved for the cavalry and commanding officers.

700,000

Whether it was the Colt Army .44, the Colt Navy .36, the Remington .44 or the Le Mat, these weapons were used more by officers and cavalrymen than enlisted infantry

650,000

Antiquated by the time the war began, some regiments did use them at the start, but as the war progressed the Union phased them out, while some CSA regiments were stuck with them.

600,000

Hint

Estimated Number used

Answer

Seen as the successor to muzzle loading rifles, these weapons were not widespread due to cost, but were usually sent to cavalry regiments. Examples include the single shot Sharps carbine and Burnside carbine, and the 7 round Spencer carbine.

230,000

Whether mass produced like the Ketchum or improvised, these weapons had limited range and were used mostly as defensive weapons.

150,000

Classified as either guns, mortars or howitzers, these weapons would account for 4 percent of all battlefield casualties in the war.

15,000

On February 21, 1862, in the Battle of Valverde, New Mexico, a Texas regiment charged the Union line with these weapons, but they achieved little effect. Subsequently, anybody who has these either discarded them or they were never issued all together.

10,000

These weapons were always hidden on the battlefield, and for most soldiers, they considered them "unsporting" or inhumane. They saw use on both land and sea.

10,000