Frank Wesson Carbine
Frank Wesson · Carbine · Discontinued · 1859
Also known as: Frank Wesson Two-Trigger Carbine, Wesson Military Carbine, Frank Wesson M.1859 Carbine
Overview
The Frank Wesson Carbine is a single-shot, break-action breech-loading carbine designed by Frank Wesson, the younger brother of Smith & Wesson co-founder Daniel B. Wesson. Patented in 1859 with N.S. Harrington and built in Worcester, Massachusetts, it used a distinctive two-trigger arrangement in which the forward trigger released the tip-up barrel for loading and the rear trigger fired the piece. The military carbine model was chambered for the .44 long rimfire metallic cartridge and saw cavalry service during the American Civil War, supplied through B. Kittredge & Company of Cincinnati to several Union state governments.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 2720 g (95.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 990 mm (38.98") |
| Barrel Length | 610 mm (24.02") |
| Action Type | Break Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Magazine Type | None |
| Muzzle Velocity | 305 m/s (1001 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 600 J (443 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 180 m (197 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 460 m (503 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 9 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .44 Henry · primary — also known as .44 Rimfire, .44 Henry Flat, .44 Long Rimfire, 11x23R
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Hammer
- Features: Tip Up Barrel, Two Trigger Action, Single Shot, Tang Sight
Service history
Operators
- Union Army (United States) · adopted 1862
- Indiana state militia
- Kentucky state militia
Conflicts
- American Civil War (1861-1865)
Production
Estimated total produced: 44,000 · Production years: 1859-1875
Approximately 44,000 Frank Wesson firearms of all calibers were produced into the mid-1870s; around 3,000 of the .44 military carbines were supplied to B. Kittredge & Company during the Civil War.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Frank Wesson
Discontinued: 1875
Notes
The .44 military carbine was one of the earliest metallic-cartridge breechloaders fielded by U.S. forces. Roughly 3,000 of the .44 carbines were delivered to B. Kittredge & Company, who distributed them to Indiana, Kentucky, Kansas and Missouri units.
Background
While his brother Daniel built the Smith & Wesson empire, Frank Wesson carved out his own niche with handy two-trigger rimfire long guns. His .44 carbine was prized by Civil War cavalrymen for its quick metallic-cartridge breech loading at a time when most troopers still wrestled with paper cartridges and percussion caps.