peashooter85:The Pattern 1861 Enfield Musketoon,While the 1853 Enfield rifle musket served as the pr
peashooter85:The Pattern 1861 Enfield Musketoon,While the 1853 Enfield rifle musket served as the primary arm of the British Army in the 1850’s and 60’s, the British Army saw a need for a carbine version of the Enfield rifle. Introduced in 1861, the M1861 Enfield Musketoon was significantly shorter and lighter than the standard Enfield service rifle. While shortening the barrel decreased accuracy, this was made up for by incorporating a faster rifle twist in the barrel (1:48) as well as more grooves (5 groove barrel). The musketoon also was issued with a sword bayonet.Originally the Enfield Musketoon was issued to artillery units in the British Army. However, more were produced for export to the Confederacy during the American Civil War than were actually used by British units. They were used to arm Confederate artillery units, but were also especially favored by Confederate cavalry units because of their ease of use while mounted on horseback. -- source link