In the 1860s, as nations reeled from the shock of industrial warfare and scrambled to modernize their armies, a curious firearm quietly entered service with two very different militaries: the Union Army of the United States and the Austrian Empire. Known today as the Austrian Lindner Carbine, this weapon embodied the improvisational spirit of its...
Category: Black Powder
Savage 1861 Navy Revolver: A Bold Union Sidearm from a Vanished Maker
The American Civil War brought with it a flood of innovation in firearms design, and few weapons better illustrate the era’s mechanical ambition than the Savage 1861 Navy revolver. Its double-trigger design, unconventional profile, and mass production at a time of national emergency mark it as one of the most intriguing—and misunderstood—sidearms of the conflict....
The Morse Carbine: America’s First Metallic Cartridge Military Arm
The Morse Carbine stands as one of the most remarkable yet overlooked innovations of the American Civil War. Developed in the crucible of national conflict, this unique breechloading firearm marked a bold leap forward in military arms—embracing the concept of metallic cartridges years before it became standard. While it never reached widespread deployment, the Morse...
Uncovering the CC & Minié-Cordier Percussion Rifle: History of a Forgotten Training Gun
The Minié-Cordier percussion rifle is a rare and distinctive firearm from the mid-19th century, believed to have been designed for training purposes. Attributed to Claude-Étienne Minié and manufactured by Cordier & Cie of Paris, this rifle showcases innovative features aimed at enhancing safety and efficiency in military instruction. Born on February 13, 1804, in Paris,...