I can believe that.
Army - Flintlock smooth bore musket (1776)
Civilian - Flintlock Rifle
Army - Flintlock Rifle (1803)
Civilian - Percussion cap rifle
Army - Percussion cap rifle (1855)
Civilian - breech loading cartridge rifle.
Army - Breech loading rifle (1865)
Civilian - 16 shot lever action rifle
Army - 5 shot bolt action (1898)
Civilian - Lever, slide, bolt and early semi-auto and full auto rifles
Army - Semi-auto rifle (1936)
Civilian - all the above except full autos banned.
Army - full auto rifle (1956)
Civilian - semi-auto versions only.