Civil War Arms Question?

Question

It is my understanding the main rifles used were Springfield Model 1861 and 1863. Certainly a long way from smoothbore flintlocks of 20 years prior, but a long way from say the Springfield M1903. Germany developed the Mauser 6 years after the end of the Civil War. Talk about a huge leap!
Let's say even a relatively small advance, like the Springfield Model 1968, "Trapdoor Springfield" was possible in the Civil War. Would the significant advances in small arms soon to become popular have been even remotely possible in the Civil War period? Would limited production (say a single regiment) of these bolt action or trapdoor rifles significantly effect the outcome of the war? I find it interesting such developments were not long off, yet somebody couldn't have rushed that technology. Look at WW-2, in the beginning, the P-40 was probably the main fighter aircraft. Compare that to a P-51. Aircraft are far more complex, yet in a short time there were design revolutions, not evolutions. Thanks.

Answer 1

Anoldmick has a great deal of the answer, but there's even more.

One of the most important decisions made during the Civil War was by the Quartermaster General. President Lincoln and Secretary of War Stanton saw a demonstration of the Sharps breech loader and the Henry, and saw what (relatively) massive firepower they possessed, but the Quartermaster General, BG Meigs, was afraid that Soldiers would waste ammunition by firing too rapidly in the heat of battle. So he personally held back the adoption of the Sharps breech loaders or the Henry repeater, and thus the Union was stuck with the percussion cap rifled musket as the primary Infantry firearm until later in the war.

The Sharps was used to great effect by Buford's cavalry at the opening of the battle of Gettysburg.

Answer 2

First of all war is the biggest motivator for invention and innovation. Yes, these changes were possible during the civil war, but they did not come to fruition until after the war. No the hardware used had very little to do with the final outcome of the war. Just like WWII where we were able to out produce the Axis, the North was able to out produce the south. The only thing that could have helped the South would have been foreign intervention. The South was practically begging France to help them and would have if Lincoln hadn't issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Yes, freeing the slaves was a political move to prevent France from becoming involved in the war. Had slavery not been such a large issue, the South would have had a better chance. Ultimately good trumps over evil almost every time....Hope this answers your question....

Answer 3

In fact, a weapon with a similar rate of fire to the "trapdoor" arm you refer to was used in the Civil War - it was the breach-loading Spencer. There were also a few Northern regiments outfitted with state-of-the art repeating rifles that the
Confederates complained bitterly about as rifles the Yankees could "load on Sunday and shoot all week!" The Henry lever-action repeating rifle was used during the Civil War as well, but infrequently. At least one Yankee regiment was armed with these at the personal expense of their Colonel, and when they did go into battle with these, the weapons did have a telling effect. The major problem with the Spencer and the Henry was that not enough of them could be produced fast enough, and a great many senior officers distrusted the newfangled guns and personally resisted having them mass produced and issued to troops in the field.

Answer 4

I doubt it. The Springfield Trapdoor .45/70 had a problem with cooling. The metal expanded and the cartridges became stuck in the breech. It wouldn't have got off anymore shots than a muzzle loader, probably less.

Answer 5

During the civil war many were amputated. Most of the time the patient would be layed down on an operating table. Many were given a rag or stick to bite on during the amputation. After, the surgeon took an amputation knife. (Amputation knives were used as a tool to cut through the tissue, It came in various sizes depending on the amputation.) The surgeon would then cut the tissue off of the body part the amputation occured. Then the surgeon took a bone saw and cut the bone in the body part. If there were remaining bone fragments they would use a crimper.(A crimper is a tool that snips off left bone.) Hope this Helps!!