rifleman's axe

[major bill]

On anther thread I posted some information and found the use of the rifleman's axe interesting. I have not seen much information about Civil War units carrying these. does anyone have addition information on these rifleman's axes? I take it they were the old style used for many years. Here is my post on the other thread.

1st Regiment Provisional Army (Turney's First; Walker Legion; 1st Confederate) 1861-1865
Initially issued grey (?) blouse worn over pants, edged with (?); (dark) long pants; black felt hat with brass comp letter on front; armed with "rifle" and usually carried side knife or rifleman's axe. Probably armed with M1841 rifle altered for saber bayonet.) later carried ANV battle flag.

 

[major bill]

Some kind of 19th Century Viking axe man?

 

[johan_steele]

It's basically a hatchet with a spike on the back with a 15" or so handle.

Iirc track of the wolf has a good repro of one.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

From what I have learned from the earlier eras, a "Rifleman's Axe" was more like a smaller belt type axe, sort of like the Ft. Meigs axe.
J.

 

[Craig L Barry]

The insignia of the Pioneer brigade is two crossed axes, but that was a specialized outfit formed by Rosecrans. I know they had a significant role in the Battle of Stones River, because we do programs in an area of the park where they were involved. Some of the volunteers have the insignia on their sleeves and carry shovels or axes/hatchets for the programs.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

Yep, the Pioneers were the "Labor Gangs" of yesteryear!
J.

 

[johan_steele]

https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/474/1/AXE-SPIKE
https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/474/1/AXE-CE

 

[major bill]

Why would a rifle armed soldier need a small axe but a musket armed soldier need a bayonet? Regular infantrymen were expected to fight a mass bayonet charges while riflemen were not?

 

[major bill]

So a well armed Confederate reenactor who carries a rifle be armed with their rifle, two pistols in their belt, a Bowie knife, a bayonet, and a rifleman's axe or would the axe replace the bayonet?

They better drive to events and not fly as they would truly set off the metal detectors at the airports.

 

[JOHN42768]

The way I see it, the Infantryman would be more likely to be engaged in close contact fighting where a bayonet may be a handy item. A rifleman I believe would be fighting from a greater distance, thus no need for a bayonet. The axe would be more useful for clearing a line of fire and building protective barriers.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

The standard muzzle loading rifles of the Models of 1803, 1814, 1817, and 1841, were all made with no provision for a bayonet. The Harper's Ferry Model 1855 Rifle was the first U.S. Rifle made with a bayonet attachment. Yes, I have disregarded the Hall Rifle, mostly because it was never general issue to Rifle Regiments, or Rifle Companies. So, up until the 1855 series of H.F. Rifles the Rifleman had no bayonet.
J.

 

[1903sprfld]

was the riflemans axe supposed to be used like a tomahawk

 

[gary]

Ax throwing requires practice. That said, I suppose it can be stuffed down a barrel to make it like a halberd.

Being facetious of course.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

was the riflemans axe supposed to be used like a tomahawk

Yes, in as much as the Tomahawk was actually used as a camp tool more than anything else.
J.

 

[major bill]

was the riflemans axe supposed to be used like a tomahawk

Yes I do believe that as the intent.