Use of sporting rifles by sharpshooters in the civil war

[mrclean89]

So ive been doing some research on sharpshooters in the civil war particularly the confederate kind.

What ive been trying to find out is if there is any evidence of them using their own rifles, as in hunting guns or perhaps imported jaegers etc

Ive heard lots of rumours and speculation on this subject but cant find any good solid info. Seems to me there is lots of books that reference the factthat the confederates used all manner of weapons but hardly any concrete evidence.

Cheers, McLean

 

[Skinny 1950]

I can imagine that at the outbreak of war there were many people that were capable of hitting things at long range using the rifles that they owned and knew how to use.
When swept up in the tide of war they may have been forced to use firearms that they were not familiar with.
Where are you going with this?

 

[mrclean89]

I agree with you there, what im looking for is any books or sources of reference about this subject. Most of what I can find is speculation that it probably happened.

Im more or less wondering if a german percussion jaeger rifle would be acceptable for an impression of a confederate sharpshooter.

 

[Skinny 1950]

Research the records for the import of those rifles, if possible find destination.
Write a screenplay become rich and don't forget your friends.

 

[sail32]

You need to start with the various American Civil War forums.

The Reinactors forums and Civil War Collector forums would be worth looking at as well.

There are a number of drawings of snipers using scoped rifles in the old literature.

The book, “The Muzzle-Loading Cap Lock Rifle”, by Ned H. Roberts will provide details on shooting the type of scoped rifles used in the Civil War.

There are a number of drawings of snipers using scoped rifles in the old literature.

The book is written at a later date but the rifles, loading details would be similar.

 

[mooncoon]

I agree with you there, what im looking for is any books or sources of reference about this subject. Most of what I can find is speculation that it probably happened.

Im more or less wondering if a german percussion jaeger rifle would be acceptable for an impression of a confederate sharpshooter.

My impression from what I have read is that snipers on both sides used mostly target rifles. I am almost positive that Whitworth rifles were used, probably by both sides. If the Confederats did not buy them, they certainly would have used battlefield pickups. While some hunting rifles may have been used by snipers (both sides), I think they were probably in the minority. I suspect that hunting rifles would have been used mostly by regular troops at times when people outnumbered the supply of military guns. While perhaps more accurate, I suspect very few used the same size ball as the military guns.

cheers mooncoon

 

[green]

"Civil War Guns" Edwards and "Civil War Firearms" Bilby have chapters on sharpshooter arms includind target and sporting rifles.

 

[mrclean89]

Ill have to have a look for that book. Im also under the impression that they were used in some form. I speculate that if I had a choice and was a sharpshooter I would prefer my hunting rifle over one which im unfamiliar with. Also I would speculate that although the enfield rifled musket was a good accurate gun it wasnt as good as a target or hunting rifle.

Im not sure though how much lee way there would be in the CSA regulations for using non issue rifles later in the war.

The other thing about it in particular to jaeger rifles is that there were alot of german gun builders in the states. So perhaps that wouldnt be far off.

Although finding documented proof of any of this seems to be damn near impossible.

Cheers, McLean

 

[tokguy]

'Out of Nowhere' is a great book on sniping.
Spans from the inception of firearms to present day. Seems as though he really knows his stuff too.

 

[mrclean89]

Well went and ordered some books from abe books, 70 bucks for all these including shipping.#

The fighting men of the civil war is a book in a series of 3 by william c davis. #The series also includes commanders of the civil war and battlefields of the civil war.#

They are incredible books that have a huge amount of original photos, photos of original equipment uniforms and weapons along with dug up relics and detailed maps of the battles.#

I think they are an absolute must have for any military history enthusiast!#


-Civil War Firearms: Their Historical Background and Tactical Use#

-An Introduction to Civil War Small Arms#

-Jaeger Rifles.

-The Fighting Men of the Civil War#

 

[NorthCoastBigBore]

Thanks for the titles - also looking for more Civil War books, great-great? Grandfather was in Union service.

 

[mrclean89]

Wow ! Thats awesome, I may have a great great grandfather that was in the union. Just trying to connect the dots.

Here are a few shots from the battlefields of the civil war book.

 

[Sir_dude]

what that last one? some kinda cannon machine gun? or shotgun?

 

[NorthCoastBigBore]

That's great, thanks for posting - those maps are my favourite parts (have come across a couple others). Looks like a good reference for sure. How much detail does it go into, regarding equipment & uniforms?

Still trying to hammer down exactly which regiment he served in (he had a relatively common first initial/last name combination), but a NY or New Hampshire regiment. I see a lot of Civil War firearms on the EE (and in the US) but don't want to "pull the trigger" until I can focus more on what his regiment would have been supplied with....

 

[mrclean89]

The "gun" if you can call it that is a confederate vandenberg volley gun.

It was designed in 1860, by New York State Militia General Origen Vandenburgh & manufactured by Robinson & Cottam of London, England . The gun was rejected by the U S Army, interested the Royal Navy, but ultimately was purchased by North Carolina and possibly a few other Confederate States.

The Vandenburg Volley gun was not very effective due to the difficulties encountered in the firing and reloading of the weapon. The gun had from#45 to 451 barrels (depending on the model) on parallel chambers clustered, row upon row, in a cylindrical container. #

When the Vandenburg Volley gun’s breechblock was opened, a container with all the charges was inserted and the breechblock closed again.#

#A single percussion hammer set off the whole conglomeration. #It was a painfully time consuming job for re-firing and only effective if several magazines#were pre-loaded and ready for insertion.

The gun’s pattern of fire did not spread out like a shotgun’s but instead held a very close pattern. #It was accurate, and at 100 yards could group more#than 90 % of its bullets in a 6’square. #In battle it was certain death for hapless men who found themselves within that square footage.

The magazine for the Vandenburg Volley gun was a rectangular piece of metal with a hexagonal area that contained the 45 to 451 chambers containing the#bullet and powder charge. #It could be fed into the firing chamber of the gun. The bullet used is referred to as the double – ended Whitworth. It looks like a pill capsule.#

The model pictured in the book was made by robinson and cottam, london and is 50 caliber. Also all the barrels are rifled. It is only 36" long but weighs in at 400lbs.#

Originally it would have been on a wheeled carriage much like your standard artillery.# It was captured by Union cavalry near salisbury, North Carolina in april 1865

Thats very cool about your family, I would say its safe to assume that atleast later in the war he woul have carried a springfield. Although I would research both those units and perhaps you will know. The book lists what regiments the uniforms are from and some have the dates they were issued or used in.

 

[NorthCoastBigBore]

Right on, sounds like EXACTLY what I'm looking for. Tough to buy books that are truly useful, based on the usual publisher summaries. Thanks

 

[mrclean89]

Yes i know what you mean, I dont like buying books unless I can see them usually.

 

[trevj]

Got a public library card?

Start with a book title of Sharpshooters of the Civil War.

Book was a coffee table size, maybe an inch think or a bit more.

I borrowed it through the Moose Jaw public library, not sure if it was one of theirs.

Aside from period photos, it contained a lot of reprints from period records. With the references.

Worth chasing down, I think.

It's all been researched pretty heavily before, stateside.

How much coin you got to throw at this?

Cheers
Trev

 

[tacfoley]

Also a good plan is to join us over on www.muzzleloadingforum.com.

I have a replica Whitworth rifle, BTW, that shoots the original-style hexagonal bullets - made by the Polisar Brothers of Albuquerque NM. Picking one up on the battlefield would have been a waste of time, unless, of course, you had an ammunition supply along with it. They were .451" calibre.

So were the Kerr rifles.

tac

 

[mrclean89]

Thanks for the tip, Do you know who wrote the book ? Seems there are a few with similar titles.

Im a member over there but it seems that I consistently forget to post.