| DarylS |
| (.700 member) |
| 07/11/09 02:51 AM |
|
Re: A puzzling Civil War era hunting rifle
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Quote:
It has a back action lock marked "A. WRIGHT & CO" and a half octogan, half round barrel 25" long. The barrel has what appears to be hexagonal Whitworth type rifling, measuring .610" across the flats.
Obviously, it's a private weapon used by this soldier - a common occurance over much of the US at that time. The size is odd as it isn't even remotely close to any projectile used by the US government at that time. Many of the civilian guns used, were able to use issue ammo, .54 RB or Minnie or .58 RB or Minnie, .65 RB or Minnie. This one, not so, unless one used a excessivly heavy patch around a minnie 'ball' which is highly unlikely.
The short barrel is also interesting - does it appear to have been shortened?