1841 U.S. Percussion Rifle "Mississippi"
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| 1841 U.S. Percussion Rifle "Mississippi" | |
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| Service History | |
| Type | Single Shot Muzzle-loading Rifle |
| Used by | USA, CSA |
| Service Dates | |
| Wars | American Civil War
Seminole Wars American-Mexican War |
| Design & Manufacture | |
| Designer | Eli Whitney, Jr. |
| Manufacturer(s) | Harpers Ferry Armory |
| Manufacture Dates | 1841 to 1861 |
| Number Built | about 25,000 |
| Per Unit Cost | $16.00 (1861 USD) |
| Variants | |
| Modern Reproductions | |
| Specifications | |
| Action | Percussion lock |
| Overall Length | 48.5 inches |
| Barrel Length | 33 inches |
| Weight | 9 pounds 4 ounces |
| Bore | .54/.58 inch caliber
Rifle twist: 1 rotation in 66 inches |
| Bullet Type | |
| Std. Powder Charge | |
| Sights | |
| Muzzle Velocity | 1,000 to 1,200 ft/sec |
| Rate of Fire | 2 to 3 rounds per minute |
| Effective Range | 1100 yards |
| Max Range | 2000 yards |
| Notes | |
| Sword Bayonette | |
This historic percussion lock weapon gained its name as a result of its performance in the hands of Jefferson Davis’ Mississippi Regiment during the Mexican War. The Mississippi is also known as the “Yager” (a misspelling of the German “Jaeger”). The rifle was obsolete by 1855. However, it had previously proven so effective that it was rebuilt to take the .54, then the .58 Cal. Minie.
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