RFI for book

[matt45]

Hello the Camp,
     I sponsor a 5th-8th grade research paper up here that deals w/ American History.  This year one of the 8th grader boys wants to do his on repeating rifles in The Civil War.  I was wondering if any book exists on this subject geared towards a 13 year old boy?  I warned him he might have to read Bilby's A Revolution In Arms, but I also said that I knew some folks who might have an idea of something else more for his age.

[PvtGreg]

Civil War Breech Loading Rifles: A Survey of the Innovative Infantry Arms of the American Civil War [Paperback]
John D. McAulay (Author)

Its not geared to younger readers but there's nothing in it that might be considered inappropriate.

[Arizona Trooper]

There isn't much I know of geared to 13 year olds. Have you checked the articles posted over at www.civilwarguns.com?

Where are you located? It might be possible to connect with a CAS shooter or N-SSA team and actually see some Civil War guns. Nothing like a hands on experience to get his enthusiasm up!

[Joe Bilby]

There are different kinds of Spencer books. Roy Marcot's is the gold standard for collectors, as it gives lots of manufacturing details.  My book is an attempt to sum up both Spencer and Henry, and approaches the subject from an industrial, social, political and military standpoint, discussing the overall influence of both guns in addition to technical and tactical usage.  I know of no book that deals with the subject on an 8th grade reading level, but McAulay provides an excellent introduction to the subject. The articles on civilwarguns.com include my old Civil War News columns, which are a good intro also.  Kids, especially those interested in history, often do read beyond grade level, though.  If you have any speciific questions, please feel free to contact me personally.

[Jobe Holiday]

The catch here is "Repeating Rifles". The argument defining "repeaters" by some parties is whether you have to recock the hammer manually, or not. Does the young gentleman mean "magazine fed arms"? Either way, the Civil War list isn't very long.

Don't underestimate the reading and comprehension abilities of a 13 yer old. Personally, at age 13 (early 1961) I had already acquired a lot of the well known reference books of the time on Civil War arms and understood very well what I was reading.

J.

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Hi,

If you decide to include breechloaders, at least put in a bit about the Maynard ... here is probably more than you need to know ...

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/civil-war/Maynard-gun.pdf

[matt45]

Thanks to all for the info.  I wish I had a NSSA outfit out here, but that is a rare beast in Montana (good idea, though).  I'll have the boy check out the websites and report back to me.  Yeah, I know, I'll probably be standing over his shoulder while he does it.

[Arizona Trooper]

You might check with the Grand Army of the Frontier. There are several members in big sky country.

http://www.grandarmyofthefrontier.org/

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Hi,

Although the south had some 'battlefield donations' of Sharps and Spencers , ammo was always a problem. Because of the Maynard's simplistically easy way of reloading (it did not have a primer and could be loaded around a fire or lantern (just had to keep the gupoder out of the fireplace or lantern),it was a good match for the Southerners ... IF one kept the cartridges!

It was estimated that the Maynard could get up to 15 rounds a minute off .... not exactly repeater rates but far better than a muzzleloader!

[matt45]

Always one of the fun counter-factuals.  If the Union had embraced metallic cartridges earlier and in greater numbers, etc.  There is a little bit of thought in Alexander's Fighting for the Confederacy, if my memory serves.  In this case, the boy that is doing the essay wants to do it on the repeaters because I have a Spencer and a Henry- I'm going to have to drag him kicking and screaming through the research and writing.   

[Arizona Trooper]

Interestingly, they were in the process of switching over to cartridge breechloaders when the war broke out. The first batch of Morse breechloading muskets were at Harpers Ferry Armory when the place was burned to keep it from falling into the hands of Virginia troops in 1861.

One overlooked issue with a switch to Spencers throughout the army would have been ammunition production. The cartridge makers had enough trouble keeping up with just the cavalry's appetite for ammo.

Good luck with the research. He will learn a lot, and hopefully have fun in the end.