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Civil War Weapons. Preface. Civil war means “ war between organized groups within a single nation state ” American Civil War broke out in late December, 1860, at Fort Sumter in South Carolina The United States suffered more casualties during this war than any other before or since.
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Preface • Civil war means “war between organized groups within a single nation state” • American Civil War broke out in late December, 1860, at Fort Sumter in South Carolina • The United States suffered more casualties during this war than any other before or since
Minie Rifles • Developed in 1849 with the minie ball • Muzzle loading rifle (load the gun through the barrel) • Fired by percussion lock (hammer hits a fuse) • Weighed about 11 Lbs • Accurate up to about 600 yards, and can penetrate 4” of soft pine at 1000 yards
Unfortunate victim of Minie rifle Loading action for Minie rifle
Mortars and Siege Artillery • Used during sieges to weaken bombardments from afar • Designed to fire explosive shells over walls of fortification to destroy buildings within • Had effective ranges between 800 and 900 yards • Many could fall within 40 yards of the target
Federal battery with 13-inch seacoast mortars, Model 1861, at siege of Yorktown
Rail-mounted Federal mortar Model 1841 during siege of Charleston Harbor
Ironclads • Steam-propelled warship protected by steel or iron plating • First ironclad battle was between the CSS Virginia and the USS Monitor in March, 1862 • Had the ability to ram other ships • The Monitor had a rotating cannon for 360 degree scope
Spencer Carbine / Repeating Rifle • Lever-action(reloaded with a lever near the trigger), breechloading (rounds loaded in the back) rifle • Firing rate of 20 rounds per minute, 1000% faster than most other rifles • Manufactured in the north for the Union Army • Most powerful cartridge of any repeating rifle
Parrott Rifles • Muzzle loading type of artillery • The 20-pound-class size was the largest gun used during the war • The barrel alone could weigh over 1800 Lbs, but the 10-pound class size was used more • Could penetrate 6 inches of brick at 3500 yards away • Patented in 1861
“…equal to the united blows of 200 sledge hammers weighing 100 pounds each, falling from a height of ten feet and acting upon a drill ten inches (254 mm) in diameter 200-pound Parrott rifle, Morris Island, SC 3-inch Parrott rifle