[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Interesting article. At the local historical society last month a guy made a presentation on New England firearms, 1620-1900. He said that during the Civil War the Union actually purchased more rifles and muskets in Europe than they men under arms to prevent them from falling into Confederate hands. Almost all Confederates were armed with muskets, the Union mostly breech loaders and a significant number or companies had repeating rifles. (Armament varied between companies, but within a company it was generally uniform.) So many different arms and ammunition were used that today we would think it a logistical nightmare, every company had a different ammuntion, generally only available from a single manufacturer.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

WW II Japan experienced the same problem. A half dozen different kinds of ammo for rifles alone.

[driftless2]

"breechloaders"

I believe the Springfield musket was the standard weapon for the Federal troops. Only about 15,000 Spencer's or Henry's were distributed to them making them highly prized.

[tanknetter]

Almost all Confederates were armed with muskets, the Union mostly breech loaders and a significant number or companies had repeating rifles.

That doesn't strike me as true. Breech loaders and repeaters were mainly carbines used by the Federal cavalry from about the middle of the war on. I don't think they made it into use, or at least widespread use, in the infantry.

They certainly had an impact, tho, even in their limited use. The 7-round carbines used by Buford's cavalry are credited with him being able to hold the ground along the Western edge of Gettysburg (McPherson's Ridge, etc) until Reynolds infantry arrived on the first day. Between that and Ewell's decision that taking Cemetery Hill was "impracticable" were the first elements of a cascading series of events leading to Lee's defeat there.

[Daffynition]

Had to be very exciting time to live...all the inventions and manufacturing going on in NE.

[PzLdr]

Repeating rifles played a large part in the success of Union cavalry from 1863 on. they gave a brigade the firepower of a Confederate infantry division.