Mystery Cavalry rifle/ Mij rifle

[SCTiger]

With the ongoing interpretation of the Augusta Arsenal records, this has stumped me.

Page 20 July 19 1862.
Entry #21

Invoice of ordnance stores turned over by Jno U Ansley M & K to
Col F. W. Hunter Bluff Springs Ala

No 55
Marks Col. F W Hunter Bluff Springs Ala

Contents

6 minnie rifle muskets
3 Carbines with bayonets
1 M i j Rifle
19 Double Barreled Shotguns
26 Cavalry Equipments

All of the equipment went to the 2nd Alabama Cavalry at Bluff Springs Ala.

1st question: What is a "minnie rifle musket'? Seems a contradiction in terms.
2nd question: What is a MIJ rifle? I have found no other references to this new species of animal.

Can you answer this o' Sultans of the saddle?

[coffee boiler]

Re: Mystery Cavalry rifle/ Mij rifle

I would assume that Minnie is for "Minnie ball" so they are talking about your general .58 cal. weapons, springfiled, enfield, conversion rifle, etc. type rifled muskets. As opposed to the .69 cal. round ball muskets. The Federal records usually specify the cal. of the weapon. The issuance of the rifled musket to the cav. was probably because of the weapon shortages at the beginning of the war.

[Clark Badgett]

Re: Mystery Cavalry rifle/ Mij rifle

Could it be, Military Issued Jaeger rifle? Could it be possible that there was a sharpshooter in the bunch?

[SCTiger]

Re: Mystery Cavalry rifle/ Mij rifle

I will make a copy of the original document and send a letter to the NRA "dope bag' and the National Firearms Museum. If anyone would have the answer, they would. I believe the weapon could be a Jaeger, but, I would like better proof.

[Gary of CA]

Re: Mystery Cavalry rifle/ Mij rifle

Mississippi jager? That was what some folks called the M1841 rifle.