Custom Search

Civil War Pistols

Civil War Guns

Civil War Weapons

Civil War Pistols were multi shot weapons that were used primarily by officers and cavalrymen.

U.S Army Model 1860 revolver was the standard issue pistol for Union troops.

For the Confederates the 36 caliber Navy revolver was their mainstay.

Although using these pistols was nice because of the multiple shots. They had some drawbacks.

They were difficult and slow to reload making them somewhat of a burden to even use.

These pistols did not have fully encased bullets. They were simply nothing more than powder,paper and a bullet rammed into place with a ram rod which was stored under the barrel.

They were loaded the same way as the rifled musket. Except you had to do the process five or six times instead of just once.

Now that can get a little tedious.

Not to mention their range was not very far at all compared to a rifle.

The ordinary infantryman could carry and use one but he would have to buy it with his own money, because they were not standard issue weapons in either army.

However after being in the army for a little while most regular soldiers decided to ditch their pistols and stick with just their rifles instead of the hard to maintain pistols. It was also one less thing they had to lug around.

Return from Civil War Pistols to Civil War Weapons

Civil War Academy

Contact Me

Welcome to Civil War Academy

Advertising Disclosure

Feb 19, 2010, Advertising Disclosure

Advertising Disclosure. This site is my personal site. It accepts advertising and other forms of compensation.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Advertising Disclosure"

Dec 5, 2009, Civil War, American Civil War, Reconstruction

The Civil War was a horrific four years for the nation. When it was over, more than 620,000 Americans had died from battle and war-related causes. American had fought against American and in some cases, brother had literally fought against brother.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Civil War, American Civil War, Reconstruction"

Nov 9, 2009, Brass Band, Civil War Music, Civil War Bands

The brass band of the Civil War played a very important role for both armies. They played at recruitment rallies and their music often helped to encourage young men to enlist.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Brass Band, Civil War Music, Civil War Bands"

Nov 9, 2009, Civil War Ships, Civil War Marines, Hunley, Civil War Ironclad ships, USS Monitor

Civil War ships played an important role during the war, more important than most people think

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Civil War Ships, Civil War Marines, Hunley, Civil War Ironclad ships, USS Monitor"

Nov 9, 2009, Blockade Runner, Civil War Blockade, Civil War Ships

A Blockade runner was a ship that attempted to get through the Union blockade of Southern waters during the Civil War. One of the main goals of the North against the South was to starve them and cut off supplies and transports to and from the South.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Blockade Runner, Civil War Blockade, Civil War Ships"

Nov 9, 2009, Belle Isle Prison, Civil War Prison Camps, Civil War Prisoners

Belle Isle Prison is located west of Richmond Virginia. It is a small island located in the James River that was used as a Civil War Prison for captured Union soldiers.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Belle Isle Prison, Civil War Prison Camps, Civil War Prisoners"

Nov 5, 2009, Sherman's March, March to the Sea

Sherman's March to the Sea would set the south ablaze. The sea was the goal, the end result, for the Union leader. General Sherman was a rogue if only for a few months, the general of the Union army stationed in the heart of the Confederacy was on a rampage.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Sherman's March, March to the Sea"