What are the odds?

[FiremarshalBill]

Curious question, but given that if we know a firearm was manufactured before or during the American Civil War, and that it was probably issued to troops of one side or the other... What are the odds of that musket hanging on the wall, or that revolver displayed in a glass case was actually used to kill or wound someone during the war? Would the odds be different depending on the type of weapon (for example: a revolver vs. a single shot rifle-musket vs. a multi-shot rifle or carbine, etc).?

 

[James N.]

Curious question, but given that if we know a firearm was manufactured before or during the American Civil War, and that it was probably issued to troops of one side or the other... What are the odds of that musket hanging on the wall, or that revolver displayed in a glass case was actually used to kill or wound someone during the war? Would the odds be different depending on the type of weapon (for example: a revolver vs. a single shot rifle-musket vs. a multi-shot rifle or carbine, etc).?

Actually probably pretty small considering the very large number of shots fired vs. actual casualties that has been computed for any given engagement. Possibly better to try and judge from the condition of the surviving weapon whether or not it actually was issued and saw service.

 

[Cornpone and Molasses]

Varying conditions...a lot of battle scars, when it was made or actual provenance tied to the weapon all factor in.

 

[UCVRelics]

Even with all the battle scares a weapon may have the odds are very low. It is estimated that it took 60 rds to kill an enemy soldier during the CW. If we take Gburg as an example, there were 190,000 soldiers in the battle. with 7,058 KIA and 33,264 WIA (we don't know how many of those died later from wounds) 10,790 were missing. It is reported that over 3 million rds were fired so not counting MIA it was 75rds during Gburg so that would be around 7000 weapons that actually killed an enemy combatant.

 

[FiremarshalBill]

Even with all the battle scares a weapon may have the odds are very low. It is estimated that it took 60 rds to kill an enemy soldier during the CW. If we take Gburg as an example, there were 190,000 soldiers in the battle. with 7,058 KIA and 33,264 WIA (we don't know how many of those died later from wounds) 10,790 were missing. It is reported that over 3 million rds were fired so not counting MIA it was 75rds during Gburg so that would be around 7000 weapons that actually killed an enemy combatant.

Wow. Never thought about it those terms. Thanks!

 

[Kyle Kalasnik]

Even with all the battle scares a weapon may have the odds are very low. It is estimated that it took 60 rds to kill an enemy soldier during the CW. If we take Gburg as an example, there were 190,000 soldiers in the battle. with 7,058 KIA and 33,264 WIA (we don't know how many of those died later from wounds) 10,790 were missing. It is reported that over 3 million rds were fired so not counting MIA it was 75rds during Gburg so that would be around 7000 weapons that actually killed an enemy combatant.

I have read that before, it makes sense though.