Rifle/carbine question

[zburkett]

I am not a reenactor but I do sometimes put my McClellan on my horse and ride out to listen to the memories on my farm. I often use my black powder rifle as my ranch rifle. My question is, which rifle or carbine from the war would be the best choice for a rifle to carry for everyday use that would have been used after the war. I realize that the Henry is the obvious choice, but us southerners didn't capture that many.

 

[BillO]

IMO the Ballard.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

With all due respect to what you want to portray, I would rather doubt that a military rifle or carbine would have been used in the post-war years. It is more likely a "Southerner" riding around his farm in the post -war years would have carried nothing more than a single or double barreled shotgun which had been hidden on the farm during the war years.
J.

 

[Booner]

I would be partial to a Smith carbine, but I have no idea how many of them ended up in Southern hands.

 

[frontrank2]

IMHO, a Spencer or Sharps carbine. Spencers were captured by Confederates, but Southern mfg. could not supply the ammunition.


Spencer

Sharps Carbine

 

[7thWisconsin]

Sharps. Without a doubt. They were very common out west both before and after the war. The carbine version isn't very expensive, also.

 

[zburkett]

The idea of the Smith is interesting as the only real civil war gun I have is very beat up, home converted to a standard breech loader. Jobe, you make a good point.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

Although the Smith is a very nice and convenient arm to carry, ammunition was a problem in the post-war years until the government began auctioning off surplus stores in the late 1860's. The most interesting Smith I have ever seen was one that was found in an old barn in the Warrenton, Va, area in the early 1970's. it represented the ingenuity of some farmer who had acquired this breech loading carbine, but had no ammunition for it. He very cleverly converted it to a muzzle loader! The top strap was removed and a rectangular piece of heavy sheet metal was fitted over the two locking lugs which were in turn peened down over the sheet metal. It was believed an iron tube was first inserted into the chamber before the breech was sealed. There was also a ram rod hole drilled into the forearm, slightly off center so as to miss the forearm mounting screw. This Smith must have been very important to the family as it showed evidence of much use. It now resides in a friend's collection because he said it tells a great story!
J.

 

[JohnW.]

Shiloh Sharps carbine Model 1863. I love mine!!!!

 

[Greyfalcon]

IMO the Ballard.

Nice choice but I'm not sure anyone makes a repro.

 

[Greyfalcon]

Really, if one is horseback and just wants to have a gun with him for G.P., then I would go with something like a 51' Navy.

 

[Frederick14Va]

Much of it tends to reflect the time frame in question.... immediately post war v/s decades later... as well as the region in question.... Many discharged Federal vets were allowed to purchase their long arm cheaply and take it home.... Southern states... not so much... however evidence of arms being hidden and squirreled away picked up during the war in some areas..... As new improved standard military arms came about.. the older arms put in storage and/or eventually sold for surplus..... Old surplus arms can be found listed in many period hardware and merchant catalogs in the latter 1800's rather cheaply.... Just an observation... but the Old Carbines seem to be more favored out West.... We tend to see more long arms surviving in the East... also tended to be even less expense..... had for a couple dollars.... Many of these unfortunately being "sporterized"... altered and cut down... usually used as shotguns instead... much more utilitarian usage.... also didn't require fancy ammunition....

 

[johan_steele]

The country was flooded with surplus arms post war. Spencer ammo was made up into the early 20th century. Gunsmiths converted quite a few percussion breach loaders to cartridge. I've seen Smiths converted to cartridge shotgun and a Maynard to .50-70.

The Ballard has been mentioned and would be a good choice. Sharps were plentiful with an excellent reputation. The paper/linen cartridges were available as well as easily made. Plus metallic cartridge conversions were easily acquired.

Frankly the choice becomes what story you want to tell.

 

[zburkett]

With my old Smith, the fore arm and the release mechanism are gone, a brass collar slides over the top bar to hold it closed once it is loaded and it has a conventional nipple for the cap.

 

[JohnW.]

Really, if one is horseback and just wants to have a gun with him for G.P., then I would go with something like a 51' Navy.

Ah....1851 Navy....a man after my own heart

 

[Greyfalcon]

Ah....1851 Navy....a man after my own heart

Yes, sir. I have owned a couple of '51 Navy's but truth be told, this is my favoured sidearm at this time. I've had it for 25 years or so and I like the extra punch of the .44. I carry it often when out in the field, communing with nature, or killing some of it.

Expired Image Removed