Important firearms in American history?

[FNH5-7]

What were some of the important or popular firearms used in the following wars:

-Revolutionary War-

-War of 1812-

-Mexican War-

-Civil War-


What firearms were our troops using during these conflicts? Curious to know because I know nothing about pre-20th century firearms used by our military.

[PyroFox79]

Had you said weapons I would have responded with the United States Marine Corps.

[iareConfusE]

The AR-15

[FNH5-7]

Had you said weapons I would have responded with the United States Marine Corps.

Elaborate.

[Beetle Bailey]

Revolution: Kentucky Rifle. A lot of guys used smoothbores, but the rifle guys would snipe redcoat officers, causing fear and havoc.

War of 1812: Dunno. It's not as sexy a war but I am guessing the same leftovers from the Revolution.

US vs. Mexico: Walker Colt revolver. The gun that saved Colt and was supposed to be able to shoot all the way through a horse and still kill the guy hiding behind it.

Civil War of Northern Aggression against Southern Treason: A lot. Springfield and Enfield rifles, and the Henry rifle was notable for being a repeating rifle.

As far as the Civil War stuff goes, you can try to contact a local reenacting group and my experience in talking to those guys at the range, is that they are very happy to answer any and all questions you may have. At my local range, these Union guys shoot cannons and also 1858 Remington New Army revolvers. They have rifles, too, but I dunno what kind.

[TrailerparkTrash]

I'll add to the list....

WWI : Colt 1911 .45ACP
WWII : Colt 1911 .45ACP (and other brands for the war effort)
Korea: Colt 1911 .45ACP
Vietnam: Colt 1911 .45ACP

Desert Storm: Beretta.... ah, forget it!

[FNH5-7]

War of 1812: Dunno. It's not as sexy a war but I am guessing the same leftovers from the Revolution.

lol

Civil War of Northern Aggression against Southern Treason: A lot. Springfield and Enfield rifles, and the Henry rifle was notable for being a repeating rifle.

Do you know which were used by The Union and which were used by the Confederacy?

I'll add to the list....

WWI : Colt 1911 .45ACP
WWII : Colt 1911 .45ACP (and other brands for the war effort)
Korea: Colt 1911 .45ACP
Vietnam: Colt 1911 .45ACP

Desert Storm: Beretta.... ah, forget it!

Pre- 20th century?

[ALX10mm]

the union built and used american made springfield rifles.
Confedrates traded for and used european Enfields.

many confederates captured Springfields and used them. more parts available.

[joepamjohn]

A little later on in American history, anything John Browning had his hands on. And that was a lot of important guns.

[FNH5-7]

A little later on in American history, anything John Browning had his hands on. And that was a lot of important guns.

What about the Henry? Confederate or Union?

[Alan Block]

Importnt weapons in US history

American longrifle (from Kenutcky, Pennsylvania or Virginia)
Commitee of Safety musket (US common built widely used smoothbore)
Brown Bess (English but we used everyone we could steal or get)

US rifle of 1803 Harpers Ferry. (Louis and Clark rifle)
Hawken styled percussion rifle (made by many, used by most settlers from 1840s-1870s)
1861 Springfield rifle
Springfield Trapdoor rifle (used from 1865-1893)
Winchester 1873 (not a military arm but gun that won the west)
Springfield 1903 (WWI and WWII)
M1 Garand
M1 Carbine
M16

Colt 1851 Navy
Colt 1860 Army
Colt 1873 Peacemaker
Colt 1911
S&W 1917
S&W 357 magnum

Remmington 870 (Used by police across the country)

Browning M-2 .50 cal
Browning 1918 .30 cal

[Beetle Bailey]

Henry was used by the Union. Supposedly the Confederate soldiers called the Henry "That **** Yankee rifle you load on Sunday and shoot all week" in referrance to the tube magazine under the barrel. One problem the South had was lack of industry comparied to the North so they were just not able to produce their own Henrys or the cartridges to feed them.

Also, Custer's troops were armed with Trapdoor Springfields (single shot rifles) while their opponents had lever action repeaters (I forget what kind).

In the Spanish-American War we used the Krag bolt-action repeating rifle against the Spaniards, who were armed with 7mm Mausers. Shortly afterwards, we came out with our own "American Mauser" AKA 1903 Springfield and new cartridge to go with it (originally .30-03 and later improved to the famous .30-06).

[cmichini]

Elaborate.

I would tend to guess the poster meant that the US Marine is a weapon in and of him/herself. Presumabley because a skilled Marine is a walking deadly weapon even if nekkid. Firearms, knives and other implements extend the range and variability to the destruction that the Marine can inflict, but it doesn't change the fact that a Marine is a primary weapon platform.

I think that is an astute observation, and a tip of the cover to Marines.

At least that's my read on it. YMMV

[FNH5-7]

US rifle of 1803 Harpers Ferry. (Louis and Clark rifle)

Was this what our troops were using in the war of 1812?

I would tend to guess the poster meant that the US Marine is a weapon in and of him/herself. Presumabley because a skilled Marine is a walking deadly weapon even if nekkid. Firearms, knives and other implements extend the range and variability to the destruction that the Marine can inflict, but it doesn't change the fact that a Marine is a primary weapon platform.

I think that is an astute observation, and a tip of the cover to Marines.

At least that's my read on it. YMMV

Well done.

[GWbiker]

Revolutionary War against England - The Kentucky Rifle, made by German gunsmiths who settled in Pennsylvania and in Virginia. Vastly superior against British rifles.