Good source for small arm specs?

[Red Harvest]

I've been looking around today for a decent compilation of small arm specs that are at least self-consistent as a set and run the gamut of musket smoothbore/rifle and carbine types. Haven't found what I'm after. Surprisingly Coates and Thomas' Civil War Small Arms does better than most (Edwards' Civil War Guns is scattered) having weights, OAL, and caliber. Unfortunately, the weights are sometimes vague and don't match well with some other sources, a lot of "about 9 lbs" even when some other sources are another pound in either direction. I would like to compile some velocities with given bullet wt/type, powder charge when known if possible, but that is secondary to basice specs. I figure this is summarized somewhere, I just haven't found it.

 

[johan_steele]

I'm not aware of any one book that has all or even most of the types of ACW arms w/ the info you're looking for. In fact I can only think of one off hand that has velocities. One thing w/ the "about 9 lbs" is that is correct because all of the arms coming out of Europe were hand made variation was consistant. I've handled quite a few original P53's and the weight & balance can vary considerably.

You might look up the various works by Claude Fuller in looking for velocities but off hand I don't recall which has velocities. Another option might be to take a look at the NSSA board and ask if anyone has ever compiled the info you're looking for.

The Standard Catalog of Civil War Firearms is an inexpensive compilation of most of the arms available w/ bare bones info on each and is probably as close as you'll get in one work.
US Military Small Arms 1816-1865 by Reilly is the holy grail, but out of print & spendy.
Firearms from Europe by Whisker is a good purchase but make certain to get the 2nd edition as it corrects some of the glaring errors of the 1st Edition. I believe Track of the Wolf carries some of the titles in their book section.

There are the other works but IMO those two are must haves if you are interested in the arms of the period.


Barry, Craig L., The Civil War Musket: A Handbook for Historical Accuracy-Lock, Stock and Barrel, Watchdog Press, 2006.

Bilby, Joseph G., Civil War Firearms , Combined Books, 1996.

Coates, Earl J. & McAulay, John D., Civil War Sharps Carbines & Rifles, Thomas Publications, 1996.

Coates, Earl J. & Thomas, Dean S., An Introduction to Civil War Small Arms, Thomas Publications, 1990.

Edwards, William B., Civil War Guns, The Stackpole Company, 1962.

Fuller, Claud E., The Rifled Musket, The Stackpole Company, 1958.

Fuller, Claud E., Springfield Shoulder Arms 1795-1865, S&S Firearms, 1986.

Hess, Earl J., The Rifle Musket in Civil War Combat Reality and Myth, University Press of Kansas, 2008.

Houze, Herbert G., Colt Rifles & Muskets from 1847-1870, Krause Publications, 1996.

McAulay, John D., Rifles of the U.S. Army 1861-1906, Andrew Mowbray Publishers, 2003.

Reilly, Robert M., United States Military Small Arms 1816-1865, Eagle Press, 1970.

Smith, Graham, Civil War Weapons, KP Books, 2005.

Sword, Wiley, Firepower from Abroad The Confederate Enfield and the LeMat Revolver, Andrew Mowbray Inc., 1986.

Sword, Wiley, Sharpshooter: Hiram Berdan, his famous Sharpshooters and their Sharps Rifles, Andrew Mowbray Inc., 1988.

Whisker, James A., Hartzler, Daniel D. & Yantz, Larry W., Firearms from Europe, Tom Rowe Books, 2002.
Whisker, James A., Hartzler, Daniel D. & Yantz, Larry W., US Civil War Carbines, Tom Rowe Books, 2001.
Whisker, James A., Hartzler, Daniel D. & Yantz, Larry W., US Model 1861 Springfield Rifle-Musket, Tom Rowe Books, 2000.
Yee, Gary, Sharpshooters 1750-1900, Sharpshooter Press, 2009.

Arming the Suckers 1861-1865" by Ken Baumann
Small Arms 1856 U.S. Army reprint Dean Thomas
The British Soldier's Firearm: From Smoothbore to Smallbore 1850-1864 by C. H. Roads

James Severn - Colt Firearms

Howard Blackmore. British Military Firearms, 1650-1850

Robert Ball. Springfield Armory Shoulder Weapons, 1795-1968

 

[Red Harvest]

I have or have seen a number of those works. While I recognize differences in weights and such will be endemic to period arms, I was hoping for something representative of the class. How much did a "Dresden rifle" in 0.58 caliber weigh typically compared to an 1861 Springfield?

While we are on the subject how did 1st, 2nd, 3rd rate rankings for Federal purchased arms come about? Is there an objective criteria? Is there a list of rates for historical shoulder arms? I've seen individual mentions of course.

 

[johan_steele]

Hatcher's Notebook,A standard Reference for Shooters, Gunsmiths,
Ballisticians, Historians, Hunters, and Collectors
by Julian S. Hatcher

It might have the info you're looking for: A invaluable resource for military personal, gunsmiths, and fireams enthusiasts of all backgrounds. With its expertly written histories of ealy twentieth century firearms and in-depth evaluation of gun barrels, receivers, triggers, gunpowder, and more, Hatcher's Notebook is sure to remain a useful firearms reference for decades to come. Hard cover, 6 by 9", black and white, 640 pages.