This forum has been discontinued.
January 22, 1999 at 08:56:23
In Reply to: The Colt Revolving Rifle
posted by jeff on January 22, 1999 at 08:01:57
All info from Coates and Thomas' "Civil War Small Arms", for the price a great reference work (less than $10).
1st produced in 1855. 4600 purchased for volunteers by US Army. Only calibre mentioned is .56 (Mason and Mckee's book mentions other calibres from .50 to .59 !?!?!)
1st combat use by the 1st and 2nd United States Sharpshooters during Spring 1862, until issued Sharps rifles. (The Colts were unpopular because of breakage and also the unpleasant results of a "cookoff", wherein a stray spark sets off all 6 rounds at once.)
Used and liked by the 21st Ohio Inf. entire term of service. Special mention made of this unit and rifle at Snodgrass Hill, battle of Chickamauga.
Used (despite length) by the 2nd Michigan Cavalry.
After the war, all were sold as surplus for as little as 40 cents apiece.
In the back of the book, it has a section detailing usage of weapons by regiment. It lists the Colt revolving rifle as being issued and used by 29 US cavalry regiments, 1 CS cavalry regiment, and 21 US infantry regiments. If you reallllllly need this info, let me know, but it is safe to say that these rifles were pretty much in wide use throughout the war.
Hope this helps,
YOS,
VaGent
Follow Ups:
Post a Followup
