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Friday, June 22, 2012

Civil War Video Friday: Loading and firing a Springfield rifled musket

Here's a video showing how to load and fire the 1861 Springfield rifled musket. This was the standard issue weapon for Union infantry. A large number of Confederate troops also used the Springfield. It was a single-shot muzzleloader.

For dramatic effect he pulls off several shots at the end instead of just one. In reality he'd have to reload for every shot but they edited that out.

One realistic aspect of this is the fellow playing the Union soldier. So many reenactors are paunchy middle-aged guys, when in fact most Civil War soldiers were skinny kids like this guy. He looks a bit too clean, though. Maybe he just bathed in the creek.

You also might be interested in a video on how to load and shoot a Colt Navy revolver.

3 comments:

  1. I loved the weapon but not the cheesy music or acting! lol Yeah, all of the guys stuff was sparkling new, right?

    Too, had he been a real solider during the war he'd have been a goner as slow as he was loading. Yeah, I know it was for dramatic effect.

    I'd love to have one of the rifles, wouldn't you?

    I don't know why, but I caught the Civil War bug a long, long time ago. It was probably when my friend found a civil war belt buckle.

    Thanks for sharing.

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  2. I'm just impressed a weapon that old still fires.

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  3. cool vid. amazing that these old weapons can still fire!
    Nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

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