Rifle for Illinois Reenactor

rallyround · #1 11-18-2005, 06:59 PM

So, long time no post, guys!

It's also been a while since I've been to a reenactment.
For the past couple of years I've reenacted as a hospital steward with the 45th IL vols. I finally decided to look into getting a rifle. I'm not sure if I want to switch to infantry reenacting, but I thought a rifle would be nice to have anyway.

Now, what model rifle would a soldier have used in the western theatre of the war during '63-'65? I used to know this stuff, but it's been a while. Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks.

texaswildcat · #2 11-18-2005, 07:57 PM

Soldiers in the west usually got what was left over by armies in the east. In early parts of the war, most carried percussion capped 1822 muskets, or they were lucky, Mississippi rifles, but by later courses, some might get Enfield or Austrian Lorenz rifled muskets

johan_steele · #3 11-18-2005, 09:38 PM

http://45thil-5thga.org/ they should be able to tell you what they actually carried.

30th_il · #4 11-18-2005, 10:20 PM

From what I can research..this will be in numbers, Springfield /Enfield for the 45th IL
1 Q of 1863 7/1
2Q 8/4
3Q 40/259
4Q 312/0

1864
1Q 249/24
2Q 300/0
3Q 270/0
4Q 183/0

1865
1Q 173/0

I think this typical of most IL Regts

rallyround · #5 11-19-2005, 03:09 PM

Thanks for the help, guys. I feel so outta the loop, it's embarrassing!