Joslyn rifle
A mid-19th century breech-loading rifle series by Benjamin Franklin Joslyn.
The Joslyn rifle is a family of breech-loading rifles from the mid-1800s. Most commonly, the name points to the Joslyn Model 1861/1862, the first breech-loading rifle mass-produced at Springfield Armory.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- United States
- Used by
- United States; Argentina
- Wars
- American Civil War; Franco-Prussian War
- Manufacturer
- Joslyn Firearms Company
- Produced
- 1855–1865
- Variants
- M1855
- M1861
- M1862
- M1864
- M1865
- rifle and carbine
- Caliber
- .54 or.58
- Action
- Breech-loaded
Facts from the source article.
History
Benjamin Franklin Joslyn was a gun designer during the U.S. Civil War, known for frequent disputes with sub-contractors and the Federal Government that continued after the war. In 1855 he designed a breech-loading carbine; after successful tests the U.S. Army ordered 50 in .54 caliber in 1857 but quickly lost interest. The U.S. Navy ordered 500 in .58 caliber in 1858, though production problems meant only 150 to 200 were delivered in 1861. A modified version using a metal rimfire cartridge was designed in 1861, leading to an order for 860 carbines delivered in 1862, mostly to Ohio units. In 1862 an order for 20,000 carbines was placed; deliveries began in 1863 but only about half were delivered by the war's end. In 1865 Joslyn submitted two carbine designs based on the Model 1864, and an order for 5,000 was placed; Springfield Armory produced about 3,000 before hostilities ended. The Argentine Armed Forces acquired small numbers of M1855 and M1864 carbines in 1865, used by cavalry against natives and issued to the Buenos Aires militia until 1870. After the war the U.S. Government canceled all remaining contracts, claiming the rifles failed to meet specifications, and litigation persisted for years. In 1871, 6,600 carbines and 1,600 rifles converted to .50-70 Government were sold to France for the Franco-Prussian War; many were seized by Germany, sold to Belgium, and ultimately converted to shotguns for Africa.
Design and features
The first Joslyn model, from 1855, relied on paper cartridges set off by percussion caps. A lever with a finger ring along the stock’s wrist opened the breech. The rifle version had a 30-inch barrel and measured 45 inches overall, while the carbine had a 22-inch barrel and a 38-inch total length. U.S. Army carbines were .54 caliber; Navy carbines were .58 caliber. A sword-type bayonet could be mounted on the barrel. The 1861 model switched to metal rimfire cartridges and used a laterally hinged block called the “cap” that wrapped around the standing breech and swung left when the locking catch was released. A 1862 upgrade added cam surfaces to improve cartridge seating and extraction. The 1861 was chambered for the .56-56 Spencer rimfire cartridge; the improved 1862 used the .56-52 Spencer rimfire cartridge. These barrels could not accept a bayonet. The 1864 model incorporated many small refinements and could fire either the .56-52 Spencer or a proprietary .54 caliber rimfire cartridge from Joslyn. The 1865 model, made at Springfield Armory, was built on the Springfield Model 1863 rifle musket but replaced its muzzle-loading caplock system with the Joslyn firing action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who made Joslyn rifle?
Joslyn rifle was made by Joslyn Firearms Company.
Where was Joslyn rifle developed?
Joslyn rifle was developed in United States.
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