Springfield Model Research Paper

The Springfield Model 1861 was the most widely used United States Army weapon during the American Civil War. This gun was exceptionally prevalent during the war and the Union Army used it profoundly. This rifle was the third most common weapon used by the Confederacy. The Springfield Model 1861 had many effects on the war and changed the way soldiers fought. This gun revolutionized warfare because of its lightness, weighing only nine pounds, its ability to shoot three rounds per minute, and its availability since it did not waste large amounts of ammunition ("Springfield Model 1861). Weapons like this at the time, benefited many soldiers during warfare.
There was no reason why a soldier couldn’t kill someone from a far distance because of the weapon’s accuracy and firing range. The rifle had a maximum firing distance of six hundred yards, which was outstanding. The Springfield Model 1861 was the first gun to use iron sights. The iron sights consisted of two folding leaves, which determined the distance of the weapon. If one leaf was raised, it was set for three hundred yard targeting, both leaves up, it was set for a six hundred yard targeting ("Springfield Model 1861). The gun was extremely accurate which benefited many soldiers. Many of the soldiers used this rifle, and having an accurate one like the …show more content…
The newest rifle at the time, which was the Model 1861, eliminated two parts to make the weapon more effective. By eliminating the Maynard tape primer, it made the weapon more reliable in damp weather and the priming mechanism was expensive ("Springfield Model 1861." Gun). This weapon had two adjustments to it and it was already a better weapon. Slight adjustments to certain things can make something work even better. The people who made these adjustments are the people the soldiers should be thanking. They made soldiers lives much easier with these