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Well-made
and accurate, the Springfield rifle became the Union Army's standard
weapon. Between 1861-65, the Springfield (Massachusetts) arsenal produced
nearly 800,000 of them for Union troops. One of several private manufacturers,
the Joslyn Firearms Company, developed a successful breech-loading
type rifle. Both weapons featured rifled bores that imparted spin
to the bullet, giving it greater accuracy and an effective range between
150-200 yards (compared to 80 for smooth bore weapons.) The rifle
revolutionized warfare by allowing defensive forces to shoot attacking
armies from greater distances, giving rise to trench-style warfare. |
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on
top:
.58 caliber percussion rifle-musket and bayonet, U.S. model 1861, Springfield Arsenal, 1853 on bottom: .54 caliber breech-loading carbine, Joslyn Firearms Company, 1864 Click image to enlarge. Copyright 2002 The Chicago Historical Society |
Image 48 & 49 of 77
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