Name: The Weapons of the Civil War
Released: 2013-01-22

In the third episode, the focus shifts to the firearms utilized by both the Union and the Confederacy, particularly the smoothbore muskets, some of which were adapted to percussion systems. The narrative begins with the model 1855, a smaller caliber firearm created by dentist Edward Maynard, which, despite its innovative "tape primer," was ultimately deemed unreliable. This led to the introduction of the model 1861, a percussion weapon featuring a rear sight that became the most prevalent firearm of the conflict. The episode also delves into the Confederate raid on Harper's Ferry and their desperate quest for arms, including trading cotton with Europe to acquire the British Enfield and Austrian Lorenz rifles.

Show Guns: The Evolution of Firearms

Episode S01E03

Air Date Jan 22, 2013

Season 1 Episodes

S01E01 The Beginning (1) S01E01 From the invention of Gunpowder to the American Rifle S01E02 The Beginning (2) S01E02 From the Flintlock to the Percussion cap S01E03 The Weapons of the Civil War S01E03 The Beginning (3) S01E04 Post Civil War Weapons and the winning of the West S01E04 The Courage of Adam S01E05 The Weapons of World War 1 S01E05 Sky War S01E06 The Weapons of World War 2 S01E06 The Deep End S01E07 Post World War 2 to Today…From the M-14 to the M4 Carbine S01E07 Lessons S01E08 Siren's Song S01E09 The Ties That Bind S01E10 Dragon's Brood S01E11 Turnabout S01E12 Mekaneck's Lament S01E13 Night of the Shadow Beasts S01E14 Underworld S01E15 The Mystery of Anwat Gar S01E16 The Monster Within S01E17 Roboto's Gambit S01E18 Trust S01E19 Orko's Garden S01E20 Buzz-Off's Pride S01E21 Snake Pit S01E22 The Island S01E23 The Sweet Smell of Victory S01E24 Separation S01E25 The Council of Evil (1) S01E26 The Council of Evil (2)

The Weapons of the Civil War (S01E03)

Season 1 Episodes