Cook & Brother Rifle
Cook & Brother · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1861
Also known as: Cook and Brother Rifle, Athens Armory Rifle, Cook & Brother Two-Band Rifle
Overview
The Cook & Brother Rifle is a .58 caliber percussion, muzzle-loading infantry rifle musket produced in the Confederate States during the American Civil War. Designed by brothers Ferdinand and Francis Cook and patterned closely on the British Pattern 1853 Enfield short rifle, it was a two-band arm with a rifled barrel and distinctive brass furniture, fitted with a lug for a saber bayonet. Production began in New Orleans, Louisiana, and continued at the Athens Armory in Athens, Georgia, after the firm relocated following the fall of New Orleans in 1862, making it one of the relatively few long arms manufactured domestically by the Confederacy.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4100 g (144.6 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1245 mm (49.02") |
| Barrel Length | 838 mm (32.99") |
| Action Type | Muzzleloader |
| Firing Mechanism | Percussion |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Muzzle Velocity | 290 m/s (951 fps) |
| Effective Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 2 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 3 |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | White Metal |
Calibers
- .58 Caliber Minié Ball · primary — also known as 0.58 in, 14.7 mm, .58 Springfield, .575 Minié Ball
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Muzzle Loaded
- Features: Rifled Barrel, Muzzle Loaded, Percussion Cap, Two Band Barrel, Ramrod, Brass Furniture, Saber Bayonet Lug
Service history
Operators
- Confederate States Army · adopted 1861
Conflicts
- American Civil War (1861-1865)
Production
Estimated total produced: 4,000 · Production years: 1861-1864
Cook & Brother produced roughly 2,200 long arms in New Orleans and an additional 3,800-4,000 arms at the Athens Armory in Georgia, the great majority of which were two-band rifles rather than carbines or musketoons.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Ferdinand W. C. Cook and Francis L. Cook
Discontinued: 1864
Notes
Caliber is sometimes given as accepting a .570 patched round ball or .575 Minié ball. The two-band rifle was Cook & Brother's principal product and was made in far greater numbers than the company's carbines and musketoons. Barrels are typically encountered around 33 inches with an overall length near 49 inches.
Background
Cook & Brother was one of the largest private arms makers in the Confederacy. After the fall of New Orleans in April 1862, the brothers moved their machinery to Athens, Georgia, building the Athens Armory and continuing to turn out Enfield-pattern rifles until production ceased in 1864 when the Confederate government fell behind on payments.