Revolver Question

[Manassas 1861]

I see photographs all the time of soldiers with one or two revolvers in their belts as photo props. Did some enlisted soldiers actually carry revolvers into battle? Maybe very early in the war.

 

[captaindrew]

Enlisted cavalry troopers were issued a revolver but not infantrymen. Maybe a few might have carried them from home or private purchase but if so probably not for long. It just wasn't practical to be carrying one around.

 

[Story]

Maybe very early in the war.

This, until such time as their weight became telling and uncomfortable during long marches to the point where their practical defense usage became marginal at best.

 

[Story]

It just wasn't practical to be carrying one around.

Ever get the notion that those infantry boys traded off their redundant pieces to the Regimental or Post Sutlers in exchange for a line of credit?

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

I've got a Colt Model 1849 pocket model with the butt strap inscribed to an infantryman in the 9th Georgia. It came to me from a family auction near Gettysburg some years ago. This soldier was wounded and captured at Gettysburg on July 2nd, 1863 - if he had this revolver then, it would not have been returned to him when he was later paroled.
In researching his unit, I ran across a letter home by one of these Georgians telling how some private's revolver accidentally discharged in camp. And I know I've read of orders to get rid of revolvers issued to infantrymen after some similar accident.
Craig Barry wrote an interesting article called "Infantry Use of Revolvers." I don't have link to this, but do have it in Word. I will let Mr. Barry decide whether to post it or not here.

 

[Old Soldier]

Many of these seen on studio photos were basically studio props and you tend to see the same pistol on other photos from the same studio.

 

[captaindrew]

Ever get the notion that those infantry boys traded off their redundant pieces to the Regimental or Post Sutlers in exchange for a line of credit?

That would be the smart thing I suppose. But if I were getting sick of carrying it on a long march I think I'd consider paying someone to take it

 

[Dave D]

According to "Civil War Carbines, Volume II, The Early Years" by John D. McAulay "Colt's third model dragoon with breech attachment (shoulder stock) along with his M1855 carbine was tested at the Washington Arsenal on February 18, 1858." "The Board concluded that both the Colt pistol with breech attachment and the carbine were superior to any small arms currently in cavalry service and recommended: 'That Colt's pistol (with breech attachment) and ammunition be adopted for the cavalry service; and that each trooper be furnished with two pistols, adjusted to the same breech, the barrel of each pistol to be eight inches long, of the caliber of the army revolver. ...That one pistol be worn on the right side of the soldier, in a pouch attached to the sabre belt, and the other in a holster on the right side of the saddle; and that the breech attachment be carried in a saddle pouch attached to the left side of the rear of the saddle.'.

Secretary of War John Floyd, ordered 924 caliber .44 Third Model Dragoons with 462 detachable shoulder stocks from Colt on 28 June 1858 at $50.00 per set. These revolvers were issued early in 1859 to five companies of the 2nd Dragoons, under the command of Major Charles May on duty in California. At the outbreak of the Civil War, the bulk of the regiment transferred east. On August 3, 1861, the Dragoons were re-designated the 2nd United States Cavalry. Brigaded with other Regular cavalry regiments and at times volunteers, the regiment fought in the campaigns of the Army of the Potomac.

 

[Pollaco]

Many of these seen on studio photos were basically studio props and you tend to see the same pistol on other photos from the same studio.

Right the majority were studio props, especially the "Big" Bowie knives. A marching soldier was not about to carry that much heavy hardware.

 

[Bentonville]

Ever get the notion that those infantry boys traded off their redundant pieces to the Regimental or Post Sutlers in exchange for a line of credit?

Good point.

 

[Bentonville]

That would be the smart thing I suppose. But if I were getting sick of carrying it on a long march I think I'd consider paying someone to take it

Quite a few 'knuckle dusters' have been dug in caps in middle and east TN. Rather localized in hand to hand but light.

 

[Kurtlg]

I see photographs all the time of soldiers with one or two revolvers in their belts as photo props. Did some enlisted soldiers actually carry revolvers into battle? Maybe very early in the war.

I think it was the 4th Michigan infantry that was issued revolvers when they went off to war. I don't remember the specifics. There are several early war images of them in camp with revolvers tucked in their belts. I would guess most were soon discarded. Major Bill would know the details.

 

[19thOhio]

I don't know if they were carried into battle but I have in my notes that when the 90 day 19th Ohio was forming at Camp Taylor in Cleveland in May 1861 some me n were issued revolvers. Ten men from the "Trumbull rifles" were presented with the handguns by the women of the community. They earned the 130 dollars by washing clothes and working by the hour.

As mentioned above this was early in the war and no real battles had yet been fought.

 

[JPChurch]

"Enlisted" soldiers? Do you mean infantry recruits mustered in and issued the standard equipment inclusive of firearms? Only officers of specific rank were issued these during this time period. Conversely, you have to consider groups of partisan rangers on horseback, as most carried captured weapons later on during the struggle despite the rank. Were these "issued," or just the spoils of war?

 

[Old Soldier]

It's the old American tale again. A revolver is the thing that is needed. You can stick it in your belt, wave it around and show everyone that you mean business. The truth is a bit more disappointing.
Most revolvers at the beginning of the War were .36" or less and not very effective beyond 20 yards - 10 if you hadn't used one before (on a good day!). The 44 and 45s were the best at downing an opponent, but they did not appear until later. Trouble is, they were mainly a 'second arm' for cavalry, whose primary weapon was carbine or sword, and for those who were not issued rifles and needed something better than a sword for close-quarter defense. The line infantry HAD to have the musket or, better still, the rifle musket which had a much longer lethal range and, of course, a bayonet. There was no room for a pistol in your belt - it got in the way of reloading. It is not much of a defence against a company volley either.

 

[Old Soldier]

"Enlisted" soldiers? Do you mean infantry recruits mustered in and issued the standard equipment inclusive of firearms? Only officers of specific rank were issued these during this time period. Conversely, you have to consider groups of partisan rangers on horseback, as most carried captured weapons later on during the struggle despite the rank. Were these "issued," or just the spoils of war?

Officers bought their own - at least they had a choice. Horsed soldiers were often issued pistols.

 

[Joe Whitworth]

It's the old American tale again. A revolver is the thing that is needed. You can stick it in your belt, wave it around and show everyone that you mean business. The truth is a bit more disappointing.
Most revolvers at the beginning of the War were .36" or less and not very effective beyond 20 yards - 10 if you hadn't used one before (on a good day!). The 44 and 45s were the best at downing an opponent, but they did not appear until later. Trouble is, they were mainly a 'second arm' for cavalry, whose primary weapon was carbine or sword, and for those who were not issued rifles and needed something better than a sword for close-quarter defense. The line infantry HAD to have the musket or, better still, the rifle musket which had a much longer lethal range and, of course, a bayonet. There was no room for a pistol in your belt - it got in the way of reloading. It is not much of a defence against a company volley either.

Well we still have our pistols and can legally carry them too Colt belt pistols were sighted for approximately 50-75 yards and were considered offensive weapons in the days of single shot long guns, don't forget about the Texas Rangers and their Patersons. I'm sure Davis Tutt felt pretty safe with that watch at 75 yards but Bill Hickok and his Colt proved he wasn't. As to bore size being drilled with an 1851 Navy .36 or 1860 Army .44 would matter very little when even a puny S&W .22 rimfire revolver could mean slow death from infection if you didn't bleed to death first. YMMV

 

[Old Soldier]

Well we still have our pistols and can legally carry them too Colt belt pistols were sighted for approximately 50-75 yards and were considered offensive weapons in the days of single shot long guns, don't forget about the Texas Rangers and their Patersons. I'm sure Davis Tutt felt pretty safe with that watch at 75 yards but Bill Hickok and his Colt proved he wasn't. As to bore size being drilled with an 1851 Navy .36 or 1860 Army .44 would matter very little when even a puny S&W .22 rimfire revolver could mean slow death from infection if you didn't bleed to death first. YMMV

Bill Hickock wasn't on a battlefield. To be 'drilled with a 1851 Navy' would mean the guy with the pistol would have had to survive the artillery barrage, several volleys of rifle fire - and bayonets AND be able to hit you where it hurts - if he hadn't fired off all the chambers first - that is before you lodged your bayonet or sword in his gut. There are many reports of all six being shot at close range into an attacker who still managed to kill or injure the shooter.

 

[Sowbelly and Hardtack]

Handguns - Pistol training for cavalrymen? | Small Arms & Ammunition

I am sure all our favorite movie cowboy heroes while on hose back could shoot a revolver out of the hand or outlaw he was chasing at 100 yard. So all our movie cowboy heroes were all crack shots, but what about Civil War cavalrymen? This comes down to a few questions. 1. How many cavalrymen...

civilwartalk.com

 

[Sowbelly and Hardtack]