The Krummlauf is one of those rare inventions that straddles the line between absurd and brilliant. It wasn’t successful, but it was daring. It didn’t win any battles, but it remains unforgettable. More than anything, it represents the kind of wild-eyed, slide-rule-in-one-hand, grease-stained-blueprint-in-the-other kind of thinking that makes weapons history so endlessly fascinating.In a war...
Breech-Loading Carbines in the American Civil War
When the American Civil War erupted in 1861, the U.S. Army’s standard-issue firearm remained the ponderous muzzle-loading rifled musket. But for the Union cavalry—the fast-moving eyes, ears, and strike force of the army—a different kind of weapon was needed. One that could be reloaded quickly, even from the saddle. One that could keep pace with...
The Joslyn Carbine: First Brass Cartridge Breechloader
The Joslyn Carbine occupies a unique and often underappreciated place in the evolution of American military arms. As one of the first widely-issued breechloaders to fire a metallic cartridge, it bridged the gap between the percussion era and the age of modern repeaters. While it may lack the name recognition of the Spencer or the...
The Gibbs Carbine: A Rare Civil War Firearm
The American Civil War, fought from 1861 to 1865, witnessed a rapid evolution in military technology, particularly in the development and deployment of small arms. Among the more obscure yet technically weapons fielded during the conflict is the Gibbs Carbine. Produced in limited numbers and briefly adopted by Union cavalry units, the Gibbs Carbine occupies...