During the Civil War, weapons were not as powerful and widely used as today, but they still made their name on the battlefield. By the time of the Civil War (1861–1865) a wide variety of weapons were used on the battlefield. These weapon variants include the following: rifles, pistols, swords, cannons, and even early forms of grenades. Considering that the weapons were not yet fully evolved, they presented a large number of problems and weaknesses. This affected their range, accuracy, performance, power, maneuverability, etc. Civil War weapons were also produced on a large scale and were distributed to all those who fought. (According to an article on Ask.com) Civil War weapons were responsible for the deaths of an estimated 750,000 soldiers. Throughout this essay I will talk about the different types of weapons that I listed above. Civil War rifles had many variations. Rifles were usually used at close range because their accuracy and range were not great. The Springfield rifle was the infantry's primary weapon on the battlefield. Its long barrel and accuracy made it ideal for the front line. The Colt swivel rifle was a popular weapon for its ability to fire quickly and pack a punch. Spencer repeating rifles fired much faster than other soldiers' hand-loaded weapons, so it was a great advantage when engaging an enemy. The Burnside Carbine, Tarpley Carbine and Smith Carbine were also all large carbines that the front line fought with. Furthermore, the Civil War was the first war to have an automatic machine gun! The Gatling gun stopped the enemy directly in its path and dominated the battlefield. Civil War weapons in the Florida History Museum. Tallahassee, Florida. Photo by ...... center of sheet ......antage.Gettysburg Battlefield from the American Civil War© Russellgr | Dreamstime.comCivil War weapons proved to be very effective on the battlefield. Each type of weapon had its disadvantages and advantages. Soldiers who fought in the Civil War were mostly left with weapons and needed them to win battles. Without them, winning a war would be very challenging. Weapons are continually improving and are always used consistently in wars around the world. With each new weapon created, one more weapon will be created. It's a constant struggle that will never stop. Works Cited http://answers.ask.com/society/other/how_many_people_fought_in_the_civil_warns http://www.historynet.com/civil-war-weapons http://travelphotobase.com/v /USFL/FLTH41.HTM http:/ /www.swordhistory.info/?p=95 http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photography-civil-war-weapons-image26640132