Volcanic Carbine

[Bugattimiller]

I have been reading the history of the Henry rifle and its development from the Volcanic range of repeating firearms. Has anyone come across a reference to Volcanic carbines actually being used in the civil war or any period photographs showing them. I would imagine the supply of ammunition, .41 rocket ball, would have been a major problem. Any information would be much appreciated.

 

[Dan Kohli]

Wasn't the ammunition also known to be pretty anemic I too?

 

[Old Soldier]

Most pre-case ammunition that was not paper cartidge was pretty anemic. The usual paper cartridge used in capping breechloaders could not be used in the common tube magazine. The only way to have a magazine fed round was to hold the powder in the base of the bullet and sealing a cap in it. it also meant a light bullet. It was VERY short in supply. It has been stated that:

"the Rocket Ball was less powerful than even the most feeble of modern "pocket pistol" cartridges, such as .25 ACP and .32 ACP"

A long arm equivalent was the Dreyse needle-fire BL rifle cartridge which gave the rifle an effective range of just 400m(yds) when most MLs were 600yards It used a handy paper, self-igniting cartridge (NOT magazine fed). Breech sealing was a BIG problem.

When Volcanic went bust in 1856, forced by a shareholder - a certain Mr Winchester! - they were bought out by the same Mr Winchester. At this time, the first rimfire rounds, which COULD be used in a tube magazine, were becoming available. Henry, the new plant manager jumped on the bus. Following a 'reorganisation' in 1866, it became the Winchester Repeating Arms Company.