In the mid-19th century, the face of warfare began to change dramatically, especially in terms of the types of firearms that were carried onto the battlefield by soldiers. Before the American Civil War, most men carried single-shot pistols or long, cumbersome-to-reload rifles. But when the war broke out, it was also accompanied by a revolution in firearms. Revolvers like the Colt Navy, the Dance &Bros., and the LeMat introduced faster, more accessible ways for soldiers to defend themselves at short distances, changing what was capable in the chaos of combat.
Take the Colt Navy revolver, for example. This wasn’t just a pistol—it was the standard-issue sidearm for most Union troops and civilians. It was relatively light, easy to handle, and contained a large number of shots before needing to be reloaded. In the heat of a firefight, where every second counted, that much firepower could be a real game-changer.
Chambered in .36 caliber, it struck a good middle ground—enough to neutralize a threat without so much firepower that it was hard to manage when shooting. Its durability survived even rain and mud, and it worked well on the battlefield.
Over time, the Colt Navy was not only an institution in history books, but in the broader American frontier culture as well. You can still find its legacy today in Western films, reenactments, and personal collections where original and replica models are much sought after.
As part of their contribution to the fight, Confederate forces employed the solution in the Dance & Bros. revolver, made in Texas. It came in both .36 and .44 calibers and had an unusual look, thanks to such aspects as a brass frame and an octagon-to-round shape on the barrel. Unlike the Colt, it did not have a recoil shield, which rendered it easier to conceal but left the shooter more vulnerable to flash burns.
Albeit this, many who used the Dance revolver praised it as reliable and having smooth mechanisms. Tests on replicas today confirm that it is just as accurate a gun as the Colt Navy at combat ranges. While it never became quite as legendary, it is still a testament to Southern resourcefulness in a bind, doing with very little and managing to come up with something that got the job done when it was needed most.
And the LeMat revolver, undoubtedly one of the most audacious gun ideas to come out of the Civil War. Devised by Jean Alexandre LeMat in New Orleans, this bizarre firearm mashup was part revolver and part shotgun.
Nine charges for its primary cylinder—usually in .36 or .42 caliber—and a middle smoothbore barrel capable of firing buckshot gave its wielder a choice between traditional firepower or a face-melting explosion when things became up close and personal. Confederate cavalrymen and sailors enjoyed the LeMat, despite experiencing some well-documented issues.
It was cumbersome, a little hard to sight, and finicky to reload—especially the shotgun barrel. Its loading lever was easily broken, and the handle was not as comfortable as it was pinched for accurate shooting. But nothing could be done to refute how effective it was. Even the presence of the potential opposition to someone with a LeMat would weaken the morale of the enemy. Its presence itself is a testament to the period’s thrust towards innovation, however unconventional the result.
Each of these revolvers had something new to bring. The Colt Navy had reliability combined with practical performance. The Dance revolver proved that with sufficient will, good weapons could be manufactured even in the most unfavourable conditions. And the LeMat pushed the limits, bringing power and shock into one, if not perfect, weapon. Together, these guns contributed to how soldiers engaged the enemy at close quarters in one of the bloodiest conflicts ever to be fought on American soil.
They still survive today. Collectors still search for originals, and hobbyists fire reproductions to experience a slice of history. These revolvers are not only weapons; they are the history of a nation that was divided, of lightning-fast innovational development brought about by needs, and of soldiers steeling themselves against the turmoil of battle with hardware that was a testament to their times. Admired for their mechanics or remembered for their influence on battlefield tactics, these guns are eternal icons of the Civil War’s influence on the history of war.