Brief History Of Percussion Rifles
A percussion rifle is a type of rifle that uses a percussion cap instead of the flintlock or matchlock variants. The matchlock and flintlock are older variants when compared to the percussion cap. This rifle quickly became coveted by many thanks to its faster reloading time.
Because of the fewer moving parts that it required it also became both rugged and versatile more so then other single shot rifles. The United States took advantage of the percussion system in 1841 and created and made it into an infantry rifle in the same year.
The new infantry percussion rifle was a 33” barrel, .54 caliber rifle. The new arm was very popular, since it was accurate and easy to handle, and its browned barrel finish contrasting with the bright brass furniture gave it a pleasing appearance. It won fame in the Mexican-American War with Jefferson Davis’ regiment of Mississippi riflemen at the battle of Buena Vista, and its continuing popularity was such that most Confederate rifle manufacturers later copied its overall style.
Some of the rifles were converted to .58 caliber and were given long range sights. However, those that were used at Mill Springs were the original .54 caliber types and were left with the same notch rear sights that they were first built with.