Two Pistols for Union Cavalry Privates?

[Cavalryman]

Howdy,

Reading Ellen Williams book "Three years and a half in the Army ". On page
85 there's a description of a Union Cavalry private using two revolvers and a Carbine. Was this common among western Cavalrymen - being issued two revolvers..?

Best Regards

Tom Johansson

[Steven Dacus]

Re: Two Pistols for Union Cavalry Privates?

Tom,

At the risk of sparking a tornado of insults, I'll try to briefly answer the question at hand. The short and unhelpful answer is that it depended on what unit you are talking about, when you are talking about, and where you are talking about. There are enough references to multiple pistols in both eastern and western theater to suggest it was definitely done but still was not formally adopted in the army as a whole.

As a hobby, the authentic's and/or campaigners have gone to NOT accepting multiple pistols for a variety of reasons. However, I would say that there is an emotional gag reflex on our side of the hobby due to the mainstream reenactors going so far on the other side by sporting 5 or more revolvers (yes....5).

Multiple pistols definitely was not NUG, however NUG is a term that can be modified based on what impression you are trying to do. The best part of research and coming across references like the one you found is that now you have primary documentation for a second revolver IF you portray that unit.

In looking at the ordnance returns, one can easily see how many fully kitted out troopers a company has and the number of revolvers usually goes hand in hand with that number. Obviously, there is some variation in this process. But as a whole, the safe answer is to NOT have multiple revolvers unless you are portraying a specific unit that you have primary documentation on for actually having said weaponry.

Hope this helps!

[den.bolda]

Re: Two Pistols for Union Cavalry Privates?

From what I understand, the model 1842 pistol was issued in pairs. Is it possible that Mr. Williams was issued those?

[thomas aagaard]

Re: Two Pistols for Union Cavalry Privates?

Howdy,

Reading Ellen Williams book "Three years and a half in the Army ". On page
85 there's a description of a Union Cavalry private using two revolvers and a Carbine. Was this common among western Cavalrymen - being issued two revolvers..?

Do the text use the word revolvers or pistols?
If pistols is used it could mean he have two single shot percussion pistols.

------
Generalizing across armies in Europe (and the US regular army)

Going back to before the Napoleonic wars a typical cavalryman would have a saber, carbine and two pistols.
By the mid 19th century this was still seen as how it should be.

But during the civil war both sides had a hard time getting sufficient numbers of revolvers. So a cavalrymen with two revolvers issued would not be the norm.
So I agree with lpich., Only carry two if you are portraying a unit you know had two issued pr man.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Two Pistols for Union Cavalry Privates?

Hallo!

Short answer, "issued," no.

Also when looking at unit reports (inventories), it is not uncommon even for Federal cavalry for some men in a company to not have even one revolver. Or different makes.

However, starting with the Colt Walker in the Mexican War, the vision or ideal was to have the horse carry two 'Dragoon" revolvers in pommel holsters. And just before the Civil War, the Army was mildly "infatuated" with the changing concept of "cavalry" and toyed with the idea of a "pistol carbine" (think the M1855 PC) to give the trooper a better weapon to deal with muzzleloading armed enemies than must a pistol. Sam Colt saw some opportunities there, and came out with a shoulkder stocked 3rd Model Dragoon issued in pairs with a shoulder stock.

But, the evolution of cavalry was moving fast, and with the rise of breechloading cavalry and a desire to "lighten up," Mounted Rifles, Dragoons, and Cavalry were reformed in time for the CW to where the breech-loading carbine was the primary weapon and the revolver went from a heavy 'horse' pistol carried on the horse to a smaller and lighter weight one worn on the troopers belt.

As already shared above, the key is what research and documentation SHOWS for the actual unit, time, and place of the unit being depicted.

Curt