Monday, August 10, 2015

Crate of Blockade-Runner Rifles Found-- Part 2

Also found were a bullet mold, tools and tampions.  At least one bears the name T. Turner, well-known English gunmaker Thomas Turner.

The CSS Stono was formerly the USS Isaac Smith which was captured by Confederate land forces on Jan. 30, 1863.  On June 5, 1863, while attempting to run the blockade of Charleston, it was run aground and some of its cargo salvaged. and iy was burned in 1865 to prevent capture.

The Confederacy imported more Enfield rifles than any other small arm.  Enfields were 53 inches long, weighed 9 pounds and fired a .577 calibre Minie Ball.  Am estimated 900,000 were imported.

--Old B-R'er

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