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"The Gun that Won the West" Type Rifle Place of origin United States I wasn't aware that repeating rifles were used as early as 1873, Were the British experimenting with repeating rifles in the 1800s. They would have been very useful in the Zulu War.
Service history Used by United States Production history Designed 1873 Manufacturer Winchester Repeating Arms Company Produced 1873–1919 Number built c.720,000 Variants Full-stocked "Musket", Carbine, Sporting model Specifications Weight 9.5lb (4.3kg) Length 49.3in (125.2cm) Barrel length 30in (76.2cm) Caliber .44-40 Winchester, .38-40 Winchester, .32-20 Winchester, .22 rimfire Action Lever-action Feed system 15 round tube magazine Sights Graduated rear sights, Fixed-post front sights
During the American Civil War in the 1860s, various repeating rifles were used. Strangely, during the Indian Campaign the cavalry were issued single-shot carbines, against many indians who had acquired the former repeaters. That didn't help Gen. Custer and his men at Little Bighorn in 1876 - outnumbered and outgunned by hostiles armed with better weaponry. I think it had to do with cost, etc., in the British army back then, but also with repeaters you stand the chance of wasted ammo, rather than controlled volley-fire by ranks armed with single-shot rifles.
CTSG, yes that was some amount of ammo used wasn't it ? Good job they had enough or they'd have been using the bayonet a great deal more than they did. I wonder, would they have managed to hold the post with much less ammo availability ?
I did read somewhere, that the ammunition supply at RD was quite dire near the end of the Battle. And if another attack had been launched by the Zulu's R.D would have fallen. (Thanks what I read)
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