The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Why no inventor built a simple automatic weapon during the War Between the States?

**Mike Irwin** · July 30, 2012, 07:01 PM

Oddly enough the Union did an amazing job of supplying troops with the proper ammunition during the war. At some points there were almost 200 different types of ammo going to Union troops.

Primary supply was by rail, and the Union quartermaster corps worked very efficiently with the military railroads authority to ensure proper supply.

As for the guns, the Ager at least used a system similar to what Gary described, metal shells. They were filled with standard. 58 cal paper cartridges with standard percussion caps.

The Agers were used at a number of battles and did fairly well but with the overheating issues and also the jamming I described. At no point though were they a game changer.

July 30, 2012, 07:01 PM	#42
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 33,293	Oddly enough the Union did an amazing job of supplying troops with the proper ammunition during the war. At some points there were almost 200 different types of ammo going to Union troops. Primary supply was by rail, and the Union quartermaster corps worked very efficiently with the military railroads authority to ensure proper supply. As for the guns, the Ager at least used a system similar to what Gary described, metal shells. They were filled with standard. 58 cal paper cartridges with standard percussion caps. The Agers were used at a number of battles and did fairly well but with the overheating issues and also the jamming I described. At no point though were they a game changer. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower. Last edited by Mike Irwin; July 30, 2012 at 10:30 PM.