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January 22, 1999 at 18:16:43
In Reply to: The Colt Revolving Rifle posted by jeff on January 22, 1999 at 08:01:57
Jeff,
As you did not mention which war, I will add the following: Colt repeating rifle was invented during the 1830's--but not the first repeating rifle in history. Samuel Colt took several to the U.S. Militiary Academy for testing in 1837. The Chief of the Artillery at th Academy, young (age 22-24) Lieut. Robert Anderson did form a group to test the weapon & suggested its rejection. So, w/ Florida War in full swing & newly appointed Thomas S. Jesup in cmd., Mr. Colt sailed to Fla. & brought 50 repeating rifles into the campaign. He met up w/ Jesup at Fort Jupiter in March 1838 w/ the same rifles--but w/ some suggested modifications. Jesup upon advise of Anderson & others (Anderson was also at Ft. Jupiter in cmd. of the "PIONEERS." A group of carpenters who built the roads, bridges & the forts). However, Co. William Selby Harney of US Dragoons (pre-cav.) did receive permission from Jesup to test the weapons' abilities. At the time there was a short truce & Seminoles would often visit the camps at Jupiter to trade. They witnessed the testing of the rifle & showed great fear of it & suddenly avoided areas of the camp where the 50 Dragoons & these weapons resided. Jesup took 50 Dragoons & 50 musket-bearing Artillerymen (all mtd.) south to new Ft. Lauderdale, Ft. Dallas (on Miami River) & south into an area known as the "Rocky Pine Lands.(Kendall area So. of Miami)" He caught up w/ Arpeika (Sam Jones) & fought a running skirmish on horseback--inflicting a few permanent casualties. This was the first test in actual combat for this rifle. Harney kept the rifles w/ him till late 1839 then they were handed over for use by the Navy Everglades expeditionary force--stationed at Ft. Dallas & on Indian & Teatable Keys. The Navy complained about them & disliked them for quick wear of springs, bursting & such--but when some sources simply noted they took poor care of them & were not properly trained in use & maintenance of this weapon. Of course, S. Colt did upgrade the next issue. Yrs. ago, I was offered a photo from a private collector of an original (second issue) revolving rifle but I lost the Palm Bch. address & have been kicking myself ever since. Colts did grow in popularity. One of the competition was the 1836 Cochran revolving rifle. It was greatly disliked as it was known to misfire. Furthermore, it had a horizontal turret w/ loads facing outward. When the user fired off a round, he always had one or two other live rounds aiming into his face--very unpopular even in 1836. This is getting too long so I better cut it here--but it should be good enough for an 'A'. For more data & photo, contact my email khughes7@bellsouth.net
ps--I machetted into the Dragoon Camp at Ft. Jupiter in 1979 & from 1979-81, mapped the bivouacks & latrine trench & removed near 2,000 musket balls & such
from a 7-acre site.
