Missouri State Militia (Union) - Weapons of The Missouri State Militia

Weapons of The Missouri State Militia

The Missouri State Militia were recruited from the state of Missouri, but armed by the Federal Government. As many other western military units, they were often armed later in the war than eastern armies. Their weapons included both US and foreign made weapons.

The cavalry specifically had a number of foreign weapons, including the French LeFaucheux military pinfire revolver. The 1st through 10th, 12th and 13 regiments were partially armed with Austrian weapons.

The 1st through 9th, and 14th regiments were partially equipped earlier with the Savage & North Navy (.36) revolver.

In September of 1864, the 1st Missouri State Militia unit had 'sixteen different patterns of breech loaders, nine different types of muzzle loaders, and a few double barreled shotguns. Some of the Missourians were armed with nothing but revolvers.'

The 3rd Missouri State Militia unit in July of 1863 had Colt Navy (.36 caliber) and Army (.44 caliber) revolvers, receiving 10,000 Navy and 14,000 Army cartridges in that month. For long arms, they carried .69 caliber conversion musket (US M1816/22, US M1842, etc.), .58/.577 caliber rifle-musket (US M1861, British Pattern 1853 Enfield, Austrian Lorenz, etc.), Halls Rifles and Colt Revolving Rifles (possibly .52 cal) along with Wesson carbines. In September of 1864, they carried an assortment of weapons including Starr Double Action Revolvers, Savage Figure 8 Navy Revolvers, Colt Revolving Rifles, and at least one Wesson Rifle.

The 5th Missouri State Militia unit, in December of 1863 had 633 Austrian rifles, 633 revolvers (make not stated), 320 sabres, 25 pistol carbines (most likely Colt), 202 pairs of holster pistols (commonly referring to the Colt Army Revolver of 1848), and 50 cavalry musketoons. By the end of the war, some units were also equipped with 'Smith and Wesson rifles', though there were technically Smith carbines, or Wesson carbines, but not a Smith and Wesson rifle.