Pistols used during the American Civil War hold a significant place in the history of American warfare. The widespread use of these pistols marked a shift in how soldiers were outfitted for combat. This allowed soldiers to use a rifle for long-range combat and a pistol or side arm for close quarters. The pistols produced during this era, more than 150 years ago, would ultimately shape pistols used in the modern era and serve as an important reminder of the past. (This state saw the most civil war battles: every state ranked.)
Here 24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look at Civil War side arms. To identify pistols used in the American Civil War, 24/7 Tempo reviewed a catalog of small arms from Military Factory, an online database of military vehicles, arms and aircraft. We ordered these guns alphabetically. We included supplemental information regarding type of pistol, year introduced, manufacturer, caliber and feed. Note that we combined similar models into a single entry.
These pistols were primarily used by cavalry and officers. Most were cap and ball revolvers which allowed for soldiers to fire multiple rounds before needing to reload, which was a huge advantage over previous models.
A vast majority of the pistols used during this time were of American origin with a couple exceptions. These pistols were designed and manufactured by both the Union and Confederacy, to varying degrees. The Union primarily relied on Colt and Remington to produce their pistols and firearms in general, while the Confederacy tended to rely on captured firearms and locally produced models.
It is worth noting that these pistols have become more than just tools of war over the years. Following the Civil War many of these guns were passed down as family heirlooms over the years and many are highly valued as collectors’ items or historical memorabilia. (Every state’s troop count during the Civil War.)
Here is a look at every pistol used to fight the Civil War:
Why Are We Covering This?
Civil War pistols hold a significant place in the history of American warfare and warfare in general. They reflect the brutal realities of combat during that era and represent a critical shift to personal armament, which would set the stage for future developments in handgun technology.
Aston Model 1842
- Type: Single-shot percussion pistol
- Year introduced: 1842
- Manufacturer: H. Aston & Company
- Caliber and feed .56 ball; Single shot
Belgian Pinfire
- Type: Revolver
- Year introduced: 1840
- Manufacturer: Belgium Liege
- Caliber and feed 12mm, 14.5mm; Six-round rotating cylinder
Baby Dragoon
- Type: Five-shot percussion revolver
- Year introduced: 1848
- Manufacturer: Colt Manufacturing
- Caliber and feed .31 ball; Five-round rotating cylinder
Colt Model 1851 Navy
- Type: Percussion revolver
- Year introduced: 1851
- Manufacturer: Colt Manufacturing
- Caliber and feed .36 cap and ball; Six-round rotating cylinder
Root Revolver
- Type: Single-action six-shot revolver
- Year introduced: 1855
- Manufacturer: Colt Manufacturing
- Caliber and feed .28, .31; Six-round rotating cylinder
Colt Model 1860 New Army
- Type: Six-shot percussion revolver
- Year introduced: 1860
- Manufacturer: Colt Manufacturing
- Caliber and feed .44 ball; Six-round rotating cylinder
Colt Model 1861 Navy
- Type: Six-shot percussion revolver
- Year introduced: 1861
- Manufacturer: Colt Manufacturing
- Caliber and feed .36 cap and ball; Six-round rotating cylinder
Colt Model 1862 Pocket Navy
- Type: Five-shot percussion revolver
- Year introduced: 1862
- Manufacturer: Colt Manufacturing
- Caliber and feed .36 cap and ball; Five-round rotating cylinder
Cooper Pocket Double Action
- Type: Five-shot percussion revolver
- Year introduced: 1860
- Manufacturer: Cooper Firearms Manufacturing
- Caliber and feed .31 ball; Five-round rotating cylinder
Deringer (Derringer Pocket Pistol)
- Type: Concealed-carry pocket pistol
- Year introduced: 1825
- Manufacturer: Deringer
- Caliber and feed .45 ball; Single shot
Deringer Model 1842 Navy
- Type: Percussion cap, rifled barrel pistol
- Year introduced: 1842
- Manufacturer: Deringer
- Caliber and feed .54 ball; Single shot
Lefaucheux 20-Round
- Type: Double-barreled revolver
- Year introduced: 1823
- Manufacturer: Lefaucheux
- Caliber and feed 7.65mm Pinfire; 20-round revolving cylinder
LeMat Revolver (Grape Shot Revolver)
- Type: Nine-shot cap-and-ball revolver with underslung barrel
- Year introduced: 1861
- Manufacturer: Krider
- Caliber and feed .36, .44 ball / 16-gauge; 9-shot revolving cylinder / single-shot
Lindsay Model 1860
- Type: Twin-shot, single-barrel percussion pistol
- Year introduced: 1860
- Manufacturer: Union Knife Company
- Caliber and feed .44 ball; Two-charge, two-projectile arrangement
Manhattan Navy
- Type: Revolver
- Year introduced: 1859
- Manufacturer: Manhattan Firearms Company
- Caliber and feed .36 ball; Five- or Six-round revolving cylinder
Massachusetts Arms Model 1850 Dragoon
- Type: Six-shot percussion revolver
- Year introduced: 1850
- Manufacturer: Massachusetts Arms Company
- Caliber and feed .40 ball; Six-round rotating cylinder
Metropolitan Navy Model 1864
- Type: Percussion cap revolver
- Year introduced: 1864
- Manufacturer: Metropolitan Arms Company
- Caliber and feed .36 ball; Six-round rotating cylinder
Remington Model 1858 Army
- Type: Six-shot percussion revolver
- Year introduced: 1861
- Manufacturer: Remington Arms
- Caliber and feed .31, .36, .44 Remington, .46 Rimfire; Six-round rotating cylinder
Remington Model 1861 Navy
- Type: Percussion revolver
- Year introduced: 1862
- Manufacturer: Remington Arms
- Caliber and feed .36 cap and ball; Six-round rotating cylinder
Remington-Beals Model 1858
- Type: Six-shot service revolver
- Year introduced: 1861
- Manufacturer: Remington Arms
- Caliber and feed .36 ball, .44 ball; Six-round rotating cylinder
Remington-Rider Double-Action New Model
- Type: Belt revolver
- Year introduced: 1863
- Manufacturer: Remington Arms
- Caliber and feed .36 ball, .38 Centerfire cartridge; Six-round rotating cylinder
Smith & Wesson Model 2 Army
- Type: Six-shot service revolver
- Year introduced: 1862
- Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson
- Caliber and feed .22 Rimfire, .32 Rimfire; Six-round rotating cylinder
Spiller & Burr Model 1861
- Type: Percussion cap revolver
- Year introduced: 1861
- Manufacturer: Spiller & Burr
- Caliber and feed .36 ball; Six-round rotating cylinder
Starr Model 1858 / Model 1863
- Type: Double-action six-shot percussion revolver
- Year introduced: 1858
- Manufacturer: Starr Arms Company
- Caliber and feed .36 ball, .44 ball; Six-round rotating cylinder
Stocking Model 1850 (Pepperbox)
- Type: Six-shot compact pistol
- Year introduced: 1850
- Manufacturer: Stocking & Company
- Caliber and feed .32 ball; Six-round rotating cylinder
Whitney Model 1861 Navy
- Type: Six-shot, single-action, percussion revolver
- Year introduced: 1861
- Manufacturer: Whitneyville Armory
- Caliber and feed .36 cap and ball; Six-round rotating cylinder