Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Repeating Rifles 1873

Posts : 2558 Join date : 2009-04-06 Age : 61 Location : UK

Winchester Model 1873 rifle

"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

Guest

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.

Posts : 2593 Join date : 2009-04-24

Quote :: but also with repeaters you stand the chance of wasted ammo, rather than controlled volley-fire by ranks armed with single-shot rifles.

20,000 rounds were fired at RD. 500 dead or there abouts. scratch

Guest

CTSG, yes that was some amount of ammo used wasn't it ? scratch

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 ?

Posts : 1603 Join date : 2009-09-21

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) Idea

Posts : 1862 Join date : 2009-03-25

Quote :: I did read somewhere, that the ammunition supply at RD was quite dire near the end of the Battle

Dave it could have been here.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Posts : 2008 Join date : 2011-08-01 Age : 27

Each man had around 70 rounds on him and they had aroud a box and a half left in reserve.
This was observed by Chard himself.

The Zulu casulties where estimated by a number of authors at around 1,000 killed and wounded

600 dead and 400 wounded

Mike Snook worked out they could last for around another 2 hours if they
fired undestrict control and didnt blaze away.

Cheers
DB14

» Camden Place, Chislehurst, 1873
» Legs and Arms
» Fire Arms.Various Weapons