Guns of the Civil War

Author Dennis Adler has woven together enthralling tales of American and European revolvers, pistols, and longarms used on both sides of the Mason-Dixon Line from 1861-1865.

This book traces the evolution of gun making in the war torn South as well as those being manufactured by established makers, such as Colt's, Smith & Wesson, E. Remington & Sons, Whitney, Rogers & Spencer, Manhattan, Savage, and countless others that have become little more than obscure footnotes to our nation's greatest arms race.

It takes you through the development of America's most legendary 19th century handguns and rifles and the roles they played in our nation's history. As the Civil War erupts, the author follows the politics of a country divided and how the North and South chose to arm their soldiers. In the tales of this great conflagration, Adler takes you step by step through the evolution of loose powder cap and ball revolvers and rifles in use, as well as the early development of the self contained metallic cartridge that was to play a monumental role in arming both the Union and Confederacy as the war continued, and the sweeping changes in firearms design that resulted in the aftermath.

This is a sprawling history of a country built on the sweat and ambition of inventors, adventurers, and industrialists who, divided by differing cultures and thrust into a conflict that nearly tore our nation apart, brought all of their talents to bear in fighting a war to reunite country and its people.

Award-winning author, photographer, and historian Dennis Adler is recognized as one of America's most published authors and historians. He has been seen on Good Morning America, The Today Show, and CBS Sunday Morning. The author of thirty-seven books on historic firearms and collectible automobiles, as well as a former magazine editor, Adler has had more than five thousand articles and photographs published during his 35-year career.