Civil War Bullet Types (Pistol and Rifle)


Such a far-reaching war required a large collection of firearms which, in turn, relied on a vast collection of ammunition types.

The American Civil War of 1861-1865 relied on many different kinds of firearms during the years-long progression of the conflict. Both sides fielded what ever guns could be obtained, either enmass or in limited quantities. Some were private purchases and others arrived by way of government contracts. As such, this led to a plethora of bullet types being used to satisfy particular gun requirements. Many bullets can be found on protected Civil War battlefields today and those showcased below are just a sampling of the popular bullet types seen in the clash between the 'Blue and the Gray'. The bullets presented are showcased by caliber size smallest to largest for ease of identification.
Picture of the Colt Navy pistol bullet
.36 caliber
(Colt Navy Pistol)

Picture of the Colt Army pistol bullet
.44 caliber
(Colt Army Pistol)

Picture of the Sharps Ringtail carbine bullet
.52 caliber
(Sharps Ringtail)

Picture of the Burnside Carbine bullet
.54 caliber
(Burnside Carbine)

Picture of the Enfield Rifle bullet
.577 caliber
(Enfield Bullet)

Picture of the Confederate Gardner rifle bullet
.58 caliber
(Confederate Gardner)

Picture of the French Minie rifle bullet
.58 caliber
(US Minie Bullet)

Picture of the Williams Type II rifle bullet
.58 caliber
(Williams Bullet Type II)

Picture of the Musket Ball bullet
.69 caliber
(Musket Ball)

  Civil War by Battle / Engagement  

Battle of Fort Sumter (1861)
1st Bull Run / 1st Manassas (1861)
Battle of Wilson's Creek (1861)
Battle of Belmont (1861)
Henry-Donelson Campaign (1862)
Battle of Hampton Roads (1862)
Battle of Pea Ridge (1862)
Shenandoah Valley (1862)
Mississippi River Campaign (1862-1863)
Peninsular Campaign (1862)
Shiloh (1862)
Seven Days Battles (1862)
Chattanooga Campaign (1862)
2nd Bull Run / 2nd Manassas (1862)
Battle of Chantilly / Ox Hill (1862)
Battle of Harpers Ferry (1862)
Antietam / Sharpsburg (1862)
Battle of Fredricksburg (1862)
Battle of Murfreesboro (1862-1863)
Battle of Chancellorsville (1863)
Battle of Gettysburg (1863)
Vicksburg (1863)
Battle of Chickamauga (1863)
Atlanta (1864)
Battle of Spotsylvania (1864)
Overland Campaign (1864)
Battle of Petersburg (1864-1865)
Shenandoah Valley (1864)
Battle of Franklin (1864)
Battle of Nashville (1864)
Appomattox Courthouse (1865)


  Civil War Events by State  

Alabama
Arkansas
Arizona (Territory)
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
Mississippi
Missouri
New Jersey
New Mexico (Territory)
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma (Territory)
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennesee
Texas
Virginia
West Virginia
Washington, D.C.


  Civil War Events by War Year  

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1861
1862
1863
1864
1865


  Civil War Events by Topic  

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