M1895 Colt-Browning Machine Gun

• Also known as: Rapid-Fire Machine Gun, Colt Automatic Gun, Potato Digger
• Weight: 36 lbs (69 lbs w/ Tripod)
• Barrel length: 28"
• Overall Length: 41 3/8"
• Cartridge Caliber: 6mm Lee Navy, .30-40 Krag, .30.06 Springfield, .303 British, 7.62x54mm
• Range: 2000 yards
• Operating system: Gas Operated Swing Lever
• Feeding system: Belt Fed
• Rate fire: 400-450 rounds per minute
• Service: US Military 1895 - 1917

 

The M1895 Colt Machine Gun was the brainchild of legendary firearms designer John M. Browning. It would be one of the first true fully automatic guns ever invented and the first true machine gun to be adopted by the US Army and US Navy. It was referred to many service men as the Potato Digger due its unique operating system located underneath the weapon, known as the gas operated swinging lever, which resembled the farming equipment used as a potato digger. These early models would be gas operated, in that the gas energy from the blast of a spent cartridge would be used to operate a swinging lever located underneath the barrel. This swinging lever action would then load the next cartridge. The swinging lever design is very much similar to that of the lever action rifles of the time. This unique gas operating system should not be confused as a recoil operating system, which would be later used in the M1917 and later Colt Browning Machine Guns.

The Potato Digger would be used extensively during the Spanish-American War in Cuba and during the Philippine-American War(1899-1902) and the Philippine Campaign(1902-1914). The early models issued to the US military were chambered in 6mm Lee Navy.

Internal mechanics of the weapon.

Chief of Artillery Major Richard Young reports on the Malolos Campaign(March 1899). Listed are the field pieces used on the assault; including one Colt's automatic gun in caliber 6mm Lee Navy.



Model 1895 Colt-Browning Machine Gun with creator John Moses Browning.



 

Model 1895 Potato Digger featured in History Channels Mail Call:

http://www.history.com/videos/colt-machine-gun-potato-digger#colt-machine-gun-potato-digger

http://ww2.rediscov.com/spring/VFPCGI.exe?IDCFile=/spring/DETAILS.IDC,SPECIFIC=9748,DATABASE=58969234,





Model 1877 Bulldog Gatling Gun





Model 1877 Bulldog Gatling Gun used in Manila during the Philippine-American War (1899-1902).



• Weight: 135 lbs(270 lbs w/ tripod)
• Number of Barrels: 5-10
• Barrel length: 18 1/4"
• Overall Length: 34"
• Cartridge Caliber: 45-70 Government
• Range: +1000 yards
• Rate fire: 1000 per minute
• Cartridge magazine block: 40 rds
• Service: US Military 1877 -

Similar to the 1895 Gatling Gun, the Model 1877 would be the improved and improvised version of the original model. The Bulldog model differed in many ways to the original design. The smaller compact size allowed the weapon to be much lighter, which allowed for easier deployment. The barrels, as well as the breech operating section, were fully encased in bronze for better heat dissipation. For loading, the Bruce Feed Device was developed and used. Rather than the use of spring loaded box magazines, cartridges were filed in to wood blocks or cartons and attached directly to the top of the gun. Once firing began, cartridges would feed in to the weapon by gravity alone. Later model gatling guns would also use the Bruce feed device. The crank system also differed, in that it was rear-mounted, rather than the original side mount. By being rear-mounted the barrel units were driven and revolved directly to the crank, versus the gearing system of the older side mounted design which reduced the turn ratio on the revolution of the barrel unit. This direct driven rear crank would allow for a much higher rate of fire.

These lighter gatling guns were also cheaper to produce and were initially to be assigned to Cavalry units. The US Army would purchase 17 Bulldogs, and later the US Navy would also purchase several of these mini gatling guns. A few examples would later make their way to the Philippines and be used during the Spanish-American War as well as the Philippine Campaigns(1899-1914).

Photo courtesy of http://www.usarmamentcorp.com/
US Armament Corp currently produces working replicas of the M1877 Bulldog Gatling Gun.

References:
http://www.usarmamentcorp.com/index_gatling_gun.php
http://ww2.rediscov.com/spring/VFPCGI.exe?IDCFile=/spring/DETAILS.IDC,SPECIFIC=10175,DATABASE=73067895,

1873 Maxim Nordenfelt Multi-Barrel Machine Gun

Original Maxim-Nordenfelt gun salvaged from the Spanish battle-cruiser Almirante Oquendo after the battle of Santiago Harbor during the Spanish-American War.

• Barrel Length: 36"
• Overall Length: 36"
• Weight: 290 lbs
• Dimensions: 26" Height, 16.5" Width, 52.4" Length
• Effective Range: 400m
• Number of barrels: 4 - 12
• Action: Hand Cranked Gatling Gun Action
• Mechanical Operation: http://youtu.be/gu8GgzDiS90
• Caliber: 11mm and 25mm
• Countries served: Austraila, Brazil, France, Spain, and England.

  

Not to be confused with the Maxim-Nordenfelt Mountain Gun(Single Barrel) or Maxim Machine Gun(Single Barrel). The Multi-Barrel Nordenfelt gun was engineered and designed by Helge Palmcrantz of Sweden. Palmcrantz would patent his invention in 1873. The machine gun would be produced by Thorsten Nordenfelt in England, with the gun taking upon the name of the manufacture rather then the designer. The Nordenfelt gun used 4 to 12 barrels and operated in similar fashion to the hand crank of the gatling gun. But rather in cylindrical fashion, the Nordenfelt barrels were aligned horizontally in-line.

The gun looked very promising at first, during trials it was capable of firing off 3,000 rounds in 3 minutes with zero stoppage and no failures. The Nordenfelt gun were later built and assembled in Spain. In 1888 Nordenfelt and Maxim merged to become Maxim Nordenfelt Guns and Ammunition Company. Due to the Maxim machine guns, the Nordenfelt multi-barrel gun quickly became obsolete. However, the Nordenfelt Machine gun would still be produced and would also become known as the Maxim-Nordenfelt gun after the merger. The Spanish Navy as well as Spanish artillery units would use the Nordenfelt machine gun in the Philippines and during the Spanish-American War. Several examples of these "Maxim-Nordenfelt" machine guns were reported as captured by the US troops during the Span-Am War in Cuba and the Philippines. The Philippine forces as well would capture and/or receive these guns from the Spanish and used them during the Philippine American War(1899-1902). In the book "Rise and Fall of Antonio Luna", author Viencio Jose accounts the Maxim-Nordenfelt gun being used in the defense at the Battle for Malolos(March 29-31, 1899). These guns are now extremely rare, very few examples exist today.

Artillery captured from Philippines forces on display. 

Maxim-Nordenfelt machine gun found in the middle of display. Note the crudely made cart.



Springfield M1903 Bolt Action Rifle

• Action: Bolt Action
• Length: 44"
• Barrel Length: 24"
• Weight: 8.7lbs
• Cartridge: .30.06 Springfield
• Muzzle Velocity: 2,700ft/s
• Effective Range: 600 yds
• Capacity: 5 round internal box magazine
• US Service: 1903-1957

By the late 1800s the US Army quickly discovered how dismal in performance their Krag rifles were in comparison to the Spanish 1893 Mauser rifles during the Spanish American War. Most particular during the Battle of San Juan Hill in Cuba; when 800 Spanish soldiers were able to oppose a force of nearly 15,000 armed men for nearly two days. The opposing force consisting of Cuban rebels, US soldiers and US Volunteers. Although the battle for San Juan Hill was clearly won by the Americans, the tallied causality rate was viewed as near disastrous for the Americans. 200 US soldiers lay dead with 1,100 being wounded; all the while, the Spanish resulted in only 58 deaths and 170 wounded. In just this one battle, the US officers were quick to note the effectiveness and superiority of the Mauser rifle. After the war, the US military would send captured Mauser rifles back to America for evaluation. Springfield Armory at the time being under the supervision of the US Governments Department of Defense, Springfield Armory would be tasked to analyze the Mauser rifle and figure out ways to develop and/or incorporate features to improve the Krag rifles. In 1900, instead of making design changes to the Krag, Springfield built a prototype rifle that employed characteristics of both the Krag and the Mauser rifle. In reality, the new Springfield rifle heavily resembled more of the Mauser than the Krag. The US Government quickly approved the design and adopted the rifle on June 19, 1903 and designated it as the Model 1903(M1903) rifle.

The Mauser company in Germany quickly recognized many of the copied design features of their 1893 Mauser rifle. Although Springfield Armory was in a sense its own separate entity as a company, the corporation was directly working for and being controlled by the government. Mauser held the US Government accountable, not Springfield Armory, for the patent infringements and took court action. The government recognized the infringements and settled the case out of court by paying a fine, purchasing patent licenses, and agreeing to pay royalties on every M1903 manufactured.

By 1904 production of the new Springfield rifle was in full swing. After extensive testing, the M1903 became well received by all military departments. The new rifle turned the older service rifles from all military service branches obsolete, which resulted in every branch adopting the Springfield rifle. The Philippine Scouts as well would be issued the M1903 by the 1906. The rifle would see its first action during the pacification of the southern half of the Philippines. It would be the rifle that ended the last great stand off to US sovereignty at the Battle of Bud Bagsak against the Moros in 1913.

The M1903 rifle would make its debut in the Philippines Islands and would be used extensively throughout the entire Philippine Campaigns (1902-1914).

One of the first and early model M1903 Rifles produced. Equiped for the Rod Bayonet, which was deemed a flimsy contraption.

  


Pres. Roosevelt remarked, "I must say I think the rod bayonet about as poor an invention as I ever saw." A week after Roosevelts remarks, production of the rod bayonet models were completely ceased.

Moro Scouts with M1903 rifles.
Note the unique Bolo bayonets designated for the Philippines.



The M1903 continued to serve well in WWI and WWII. During the Japanese invasion of the Philippine islands the rifle helped the Filipino troops and US military make their longest and greatest stand in US history. By the beginning of the Vietnam War the M1903 was finally retired. The M1903 is deemed one of the greatest battle rifles in firearm history.

  

37mm Hotchkiss Revolving Cannon

• Barrel Length: 29 inches x5
• Action: Hand Cranked Revolving Gatling Gun Action
• Effective Range: 2,000 yards
• Rate of fire : 40 rounds per minute
• Capacity: 10rd Magazine Fed
• Caliber: 37mm (Explosive, Shrapnel Canister, and Solid)
• Muzzle Velocity: 1,450fps
• Weight of Round - 1.5 lbs
• Weight Towed: 1,000lbs
• Year Built: 1872
• Service: 1872-1900

Invented by Benjamin B. Hotchkiss in 1872. The Hotchkiss Revolving Cannon, also referred to as the Hotchkiss Gun, operated similar to the Gatling gun in which the barrels would rotate by hand crank in order for each cartridge to fire. The Hotchkiss design differed from the Gatling gun by using only one striking pin mechanism, versus's the Gatlings which had a firing pin mechanism for each barrel. The Hotchkiss cannon was a massive piece of artillery but still was considered light enough for units to take the piece in to battle by use of horses. Other countries would adopt the revolving cannon for their military. They would eventually be mostly used on fortress defense and naval battleships. The US Army used this particular Hotchkiss cannon during the assault on Malolos.  The revolving cannon would eventually prove to be to excessive. Considering the waste of munitions and a larger single barrel cannon were found to be just as effective. By early 1900s, the revolving cannon would later be replaced by single barreled cannons.






Photograph of Hotchkiss Revolving Cannon used during the Battle of Malolos(March 24-31,1899).
Note the bullet riddled shield from the Filipinos rifle fire.



Hotchkiss Cannon over destroyed bridge on route to Malolos, Bulacan, Philippines.

Chief of Artillery Major Richard Young reports on the Malolos Campaign(March 1899). Listed are the field pieces used on the assault; including three Hotchkiss Revolving Cannons.

Photo courtesy of http://philippineamericanwar.webs.com/
Hotchkiss Revolving Canon used near Manila Waterworks, Sitio  Escombro, Barrio Santolan, Pasig.  Feb. 6, 1899

Internal working mechanism of the Hotchkiss Cannon

Video operation:

http://youtu.be/GkOP8Lwdmgg

Rifle cartridges used in the Philippines early 20th century.

1. 11mm - 1870 Spanish Remington Rolling Block
2. 7mm - Spanish 1893 Mauser Rifle
3. .45-70 - 1873 Springfield Trapdoor Single Shot Rifle
4. .30 Army - 1892-1899 Krag Rifle
5. .30 Model of 1906(aka 30-06) - Springfield M1903 Rifle (1903-1957)

Spanish Lefaucheux Model 1863 Pinfire Revolver

• Manufacture - Fabrica de Armas Oviedo
• Design - French Revolver
• Barrel Length: 6"
• Cartridge Caliber: 11mm
• Action - Pinfire Single Action
• Service: 1860s–1888 Continental Spanish Army; 1888-1898 Spanish Colonial force; 1896-1902 Philippine Revolutionary Force

Made at the firearms factory in Oviedo Spain. Several different models and variants were made through out their manufacture.The Spanish Lefaucheux followed the typical European French revolver design widely used during the mid-1800s; which was known as the Lefaucheux Pinfire revolver. The Spanish revolvers are distinctive for copying the French style 1858 Lefaucheux along with the Belgian Lefaucheux style frame and pistol grip. Originally these revolvers were issued to Spanish soldiers in Spain. Years later after being out-dated by 1888, they were transferred over to soldiers and police forces in Spanish Colonial territories. Many of these old Spanish revolvers were carried by the Spanish forces in Cuba and the Philippines all the way up to the Span-Am War. The Philippine revolutionary force would also capture and use these revolvers during the 1896 Revolution and against the Americans in the Philippine-American War. US soldiers would keep these as war trophys for their service in Cuba and the Philippines. In US war reports they are noted down as French style pinfire revolvers.

Interestingly enough, the French 1858 Lefaucheux Revolvers were also bought and issued during the American Civil War(1861-1865) to soldiers under the US Federal Government.

Spanish Smith & Wesson M1884 ONÁ Revolver .44

 

 

 

• Also known as the Spanish S&W Model 7
• Manufacture: Orbea Hermanos in Spain
• Action: Double Action
• Capacity: 6 round cylinder top break design
• Barrel Length: 5½"
• Weight: 2lbs
• Cartridge Caliber: .44 Russian (11mm)
• Spanish Military Service: 1884 - 1903

 

In 1884 the Spanish S&W ONÁ revolver became the recommended service sidearm of the Spanish army. Like the Model 3, Spanish officers and soldiers had the option to purchase and carry. These revolvers were manufactured in Spain, unlike the original Model 3's manufactured at the S&W factory in the United States. The updated Spanish version would be named Model 7 ONÁ, which had few aesthetic differences, equipped with double action, and a shorter barrel. Once the 1896 Revolution broke out, Spanish soldiers from Spain were shipped off to the islands. Many of these S&W revolvers were captured by Filipino revolutionaries. And after the Span-Am War, many Spanish soldiers joined the Philippine revolutionary government against the United States; taking along with them stock piles of Spanish weapons. The S&W revolver would be one of the many handguns scattered through out the Philippine Islands.

 

The Spanish copied Smith and Wesson revolver became very popular even after the turn of the century. This same exact model revolver would be contracted out to the British Military during World War I. They would continue manufacturing other S&W firearms up to the Second World War.

 

Winchester Model 1897 12ga Shotgun

• OAL Rifle Length: 51"
• Barrel length: 32" and 20"
• Capacity: 5 round magazine tube.
• Cartridge Caliber: 12 gauge
• Weight: 8.5 lbs
• Service: 1897-1945

  

The 1897 Winchester shotgun has been issued to the US military since 1897, but began to see real action during the Pulajane Campaign and Moro Rebellion (1902-1913). The shotgun proved the be more lethal at dropping an assailant aside from the .45 Colt revolvers. On many accounts the Krag rifles also fell short of stopping charging combatants, Philippine Constabulary officers would pair off officers and scouts during expeditions; one would be equipped with a Krag and the other a shotgun. The early Philippine shotgun models are distinctive by their very long 32" barrel, and they are the predecessor to the WWI M1897 shotgun which would gain fame and notoriety as the "Trench Shotgun". The 1897 Winchester shotgun had an extensive military service life, serving all the way til the end of WWII 1945.





Order placed for 1,000 1897 Winchester Shotguns by William Taft, who at the time served as Civil Governor-General of the Philippines.

Response from Tafts request.





Winchester M1897 shotgun with Moro Constabulary Officer. Ca.1910.

Winchester M1897 shotgun can be seen in the left side pile of firearms.

Photo from the early 1900s of a Filipina from the Batangas province posing with a M1897 Shotgun.



World War I model M1897, aka the Trench Shotgun.

Springfield Model 1873 Trapdoor Single Shot Carbine Rifle

• Weight: 7.5 lbs
• Length: 41"
• Barrel length: 22"
• Cartridge Caliber: .45-70 Blackpowder
• Service: 1873-1906

  

This is the shorter carbine version of the full length Springfield Trapdoor rifle.

Used by the US Volunteers during the Spanish American War. Later disposed to the Philippine Scouts and the Philippine Constabulary.



Philippine Scouts with Springfield Trapdoor Carbines.(Photo Courtesy of http://www.morolandhistory.com/)



Colt Model 1892 US Army DA .38

• Action: Double Action Only
• Swing out 6 round cylinder
• Barrel Length: 6"
• Weight: 2lbs
• Cartridge Caliber: .38 Long Colt Black-powder (146 grain lead bullet)
• Muzzle Velocity: 750 fps
• Service: 1892 - 1908

Side arm issued to nearly all US military branches in 1892 in order to replace the .45 S&W Schofield revolver as well as the Colt 1873 SAA .45 revolvers. The double action was considered to be a break through in firearm technology and an improvment to single action handguns. It is important to note, many old .45 revolvers were still kept in service up to the issue of the Colt M1911 auto pistol. The smaller .38 caliber performed miserably once it saw action during the Philippine Campaign; failing to adequately stop/drop an assailant from charging. Namely the Pulajanes of the Visayas region and the Juramentado Moros. Officers serving in the Philippines would issue a recall and send requests for the old issued .45 revolvers. The .38s were soon replaced by old service revolvers like the 1878 Alaskan Colt. Colt would later manufacture an updated .45 revolver in 1909; and a few years later, the ever popular M1911 Colt .45ACP auto pistol.




US Cavalry Soldiers posing with Colt .38 revolvers and Krag Carbines.

Colt 1902 Philippine Model Double Action .45LC

• Barrel length: 6"
• Capacity: 6 round cylinder
• Cartridge Caliber: .45 LC(Long Colt)
• Weight: 2 lbs
• Service: 1878-1892; 1902-1908

 Originally issued as: 1878 Colt Alaskan Revolver

Adopted earlier in 1878 by US soldiers serving in Alaska, the pistol was nearly phased out by the new issued .38 revolvers. At the end of the Philippine-American War the Philippine Scouts, along with US military units, and the Philippine Constabulary(Native Police force) began expeditions and patrolling through Moroland and Visayan territory. There they found new adversaries waiting and lurking in the dense terrain of both regions, namely the Tad-Tad/Pulajanes of Samar/Leyte and the Juramentado Moros. The native police force were poorly equipped with Springfield Trapdoor "single shot" rifles, and a ill performing .38 Colt revolver side arm. Both proved to have insufficient stopping power of a hard charging swarm of combatants. A shot assailant does not necessarily make them incapacitated. Sword welding Moros and Filipinos were known to charge through heavy gun fire and still be capable of slashing and killing. Requests were quickly made for older issued .45 Colt revolvers, and the US government answered by reissuing out the older 1878 Alaskan Colt Revolvers to the Philippine Constabulary, re-designating them the 1902 Philippine Model. The .45 revolvers performed up to standard and as expected. The stopping power of the .45 cartridge against Filipinos during this era would result in the US government requesting their newly manufactured and issued sidearm to be chambered in .45. The end result is the M1911 Colt automatic pistol chambered in the newly engineered .45ACP cartridge.

The Model 1902 revolver is unique by the enlarged trigger guard. At the time the new smokeless powder cartridges also required new primers, which took more effort to ignite; and with it required a stronger trigger spring. The trigger pull became immense. Colt modified the trigger group by use of the enlarged trigger guard, which gave more leverage to pull the trigger.

Spanish Mauser Model 1893 Bolt Action Rifle

• Manufactured: Loewe Berlin Germany
• Weight: 8.6lb
• Barrel length: 29"
• Cartridge Caliber: 7mm (7x57mm) Smokeless
• Service in Spanish Army: Since 1893

The 1893 Mauser bolt action rifle is considered by many to be one of the most revolutionary firearms in history and way ahead of it's era. Accuracy of the rifle being unmatched during its time. The Mauser rifle saw little improvements to its design through out its service. It would be used by nearly all countries up to and during the second world war. Even by todays standards it is considered extremely accurate next to modern firearms. Nearly all bolt action rifles produced today take some design from the Mauser rifle. The 7mm round created a distinctive sound when whizzing by, the American soldiers called it the "Spanish Hornet".

Spain contracted Mauser in Loewe Berlin to produce these rifles for their entire military in the early 1890s. The Mauser were to replace outdated rifles like the Remington Rolling Block. The Mauser later shined and gained an infamous reputation during the Spanish American War at Cuba. The Battle of San Juan Hill would be the most famous battle of the Spanish-American War, as well as being the turning point of the war. 800 Spanish soldiers held the hill against an opposing force made up of nearly 20,000 armed men. 15,000 being made of US Soldiers armed with Krags and Springfield Trapdoor rifles. Although the fight lasted only 2 days and the US gained control of the hill, the end result was near disastrous for the Americans. 200 US soldiers lay dead with 1,100 being wounded. The Spanish resulted in only 58 deaths and 170 wounded. The Spanish Mauser rifle was quickly noted by the US military and the US government for its lethality and superiority in this one battle.

At the same time in the Philippines, the 2nd phase of the Revolution was in motion and the Philippine Army trampled across the Spanish troops through out the islands. The Filipinos began to equip themselves with captured and left over Spanish firearms. They would also account for the superior performance in the Mauser. Each battalion would have a separate special unit of expert riflemen/snipers(known as Tiradors); and all were to be armed with nothing but Mauser rifles. The most popular Filipino riflemen unit being under the command of General Geronimo, whom he would name "Tiradores de la Muerte"(Shooters of Death). After the outbreak of the Philippine American War, the Tiradores de la Muerte would gain fame in Dec 1899 when the unit defended the town of San Mateo against 800 US troops under the command of Gen Henry Lawton. On the morning of the battle Lawton walked along the firing line in open field to gain a better view of his troops and the opposing force. The troops noted the distinct firing sound of the Mauser rifles and advised the general to take cover. The general ignored their warning and at that instant was struck in the chest by round fired by one of the tiradores Mauser rifle. Gen Lawton would die with in a few minutes. The rifle shot coming from a distance of 300 yards during a storm with rain.

Also during the Spanish American War in the Philippines, in the town of Baler a small detachment of 50 Spanish soldiers barracked themselves inside the towns fortified church. Lt Col Teodorico Luna(relative of Juan and Antonio Luna) would lead the attack against the Spaniards and surrounded the church. The Spaniards would hold this position from July 1898 to June 1899. During their stand, the Spanish American War would end, America would purchase the islands, and Philippine American War was in full swing. The Spanish troops finally surrendered to the Philippine Army and were received as friendly allies. The dominance of the Mauser rifle was accredited for the 11 month long stand off.

Due to the superiority and success of the Mauser rifle over the newly issued Krag rifles through out the Spanish American War, the US Government took captured Mausers and gave them to Springfield Armory for their own research and development. The US Government would give Springfield Armory the order to build their own Mauser type rifle. In 1900 Springfield had a prototype rifle with similar characteristics of both the Mauser and Krag rifle. The US Government approved the design, and the end result is the M1903 Springfield bolt action rifle in 30-06. It should be noted that Springfield Armory at the time was under government control, but in itself was still a separate entity as a firearms manufacturer. The US Government in a way did not purposely copy the designs, but being Springfield Armory fell under the control of the US Government, Mauser took action against the US government and not Springfield Armory. Both Mauser and the US Government realized the similar features and agreed it infringed on Mausers design patents. The US Government willfully agreed to pay royalties to Mauser for patent infringement with out trial.

Company of the Philippine Army. (Circa 1899)
Riflemen standing are armed with Spanish Remington Rolling Block Rifles.
Riflemen kneeling are armed with Spanish 1893 Mauser Rifles.

Early Philippine Constabulary Officers. Originally issued Mausers captured and surrendered by Spanish Troops.

Smith & Wesson 1870 Model 3 Revolver

  

Smith & Wesson Russian Model 3

 

 

• Also known as "Smith & Wesson Russian Model" and the "Schofield Revolver".
• Action: Single Action
• Capacity: 6 round cylinder top break design
• Barrel Length: 7"
• Weight: 2lbs
• Cartridge Caliber: .44 Russian (11mm) and .45 S&W(.45 Schofield)
• Spanish Military Service: 1874 - 1903
• US Military Service: 1870 - 1899

 

 

The Smith and Wesson Model 3 was used by both the US Army and the Spanish Military, as well as the Philippine revolutionary government.

 

The American S&W Model 3 Schofield were issued to the US Military in the early 1870s at the same time as the Colt Single Action Army .45. However, US Army Major George W. Schofield also asked their military version to be chambered in .45 caliber. S&W obliged but made their own .45 cartridge which they dubbed the ".45 S&W". These cartridges were shorter then the .45Colt but can be shot in the Colt SAA Revolver; however, the .45Colt cartridge could not be fired in the Schofield revolvers. Many soldier became confused between the two. Thus the US military created the monikers, ".45 Long Colt"(.45Colt) and .45 "Short"(.45S&W). The .45 S&W cartridge would also be known as the .45 Schofield cartridge. And because the request came in by Major Schofield, these particular Model 3 revolvers chambered in .45 became known as the "Schofield revolver". The US Army variant also excluded the spur guard underneath the trigger. The S&W revolver went mainly to US cavalrymen due to the top break design, which made loading and reloading on horseback easier than the Colt SAA. In 1898 during the outbreak of the Span-Am War, just like the Colt SAA, the S&W Schofield was nearly completely phased out of service by the Colt .38. There were less S&W Schofield revolvers out in the field then the Colt SAA .45. Very few would reach the Philippines and a smaller number would be captured and used by Filipinos. Due to the rarity of the cartridge, I would surmise the revolver was more likely useless for the opposing force. After the Span-Am and Phil-Am War, the US Military completely retired the Schofield .45 revolver for good, selling their entire surplus stock back to S&W and other gundealers around the US.

 

The Spanish counter-part Smith and Wesson Model 3 was not a standard issue for the Spanish, but was the "recommended" side-arm for the Spanish Military. Recommended meaning they had the choice to purchase and carry the revolver. The much older Lefaucheaux pinfire design revolvers became extremely outdated compared to the newly designed revolvers like the S&W Model 3. The Russian Military ordered these revolvers from S&W for their military. They would later see action during the Russo-Turkish War. Many of these revolvers were later sold off to Spain; which is why they were chambered in .44 Russian. Spain would later produce their own copy of the S&W Model 3 with improvements. But these original models would find their way to the Philippines and end up in the hands of some Filipinos of revolutionary force.

 

Colt Artillery Model 1873 Single Action Army(SAA) .45

• Barrel Length: 7" and 5½"
• Weight: 2.3 lbs
• Cartridge Caliber: .45 Long Colt (255 grain)
• Muzzle Velocity: 830 fps
• US Service: 1873– 1893; 1899-1909(reissued during the Philippine Campaigns)

 The Colt SAA .45 became the side arm issued to US Army in 1873. The Colt .45 revolver was considered cutting edge technology at the time. The large caliber was believed to quell conflicts and bring peace. It became known as the "Peacemaker". It would be the most popular revolver of the old west. Today it remains synonymous with the Cowboys of the western frontier.

The original Colt SAA issued to troops had the 7" barrel. By early 1890s the US Army decided to downsize their force as well as find ways to save on spending. By 1893 many of the Colt SAA revolvers were replaced by the Colt DA .38. It should be noted the phasing out of the Colt SAA .45 was a long process and many still found use as the side arm of select few units. By 1898 the Colt revolvers were modified with a shorter 5½" and issued first to Artillery units. The altered Colts with 5½" barrels would be known and later called the "Artillery Model". The most popular unit to carry the old Colt .45 SAA would be Teddy Roosevelts Rough Riders during the Cuban Campaign. The Colt SAA .45 would truly shine just as the the Philippine-American War was coming to a close and the beginning of the pacification through out the Philippines; most particularly during patrols and expeditions in the Visayan and Moroland(Mindanao) regions. The Colt .38 revolvers provided to be insufficient in stopping and dropping frantically charged assailants. Few regulars and volunteers still carried the older Colt SAA .45 and noted the significant stopping and knock-down power the revolver had over the newer .38s. Officers soon requested an immediate re-issue of old Colt SAA .45s to the Philippine Islands. Because the Colt SAA .45 would still be used in service all the way up to the end of the Philippine-American War, it would be safe to say the Colt .45 was never truly retired in 1893.

Colt SAA overhauled and refurbished to Artillery Model at their Hartford Connecticut manufacturing facility and shipped to the Philippines for the US Army. Lower right heel stamped 1903.

By the end of 1902 the Philippine-American War closed and the US volunteers began mustering out of service. As US troop presence began to drop in the Philippines, Tafts Philippine Commission would establish a native police force known as the Philippine Constabulary to fill the roll of bring law and order through out the islands. The Philippine Constabulary would be issued the old 1878 Colt Alaskan .45 revolver, which would be re-designated the Colt 1902 Philippine Model. Resulting from the effective use of the Colt Single Action Army .45. The SAA revolver would see its last action with the adoption of Colts new commercial .45 revolver dubbed the M1909.

Springfield Krag Jørgensen Rifle



  

• Manufacturer: Springfield Armory(under license by Krag Jørgensen)
• Design: Norwegian
• Weight: 8.6lb
• Length: 49"
• Barrel length: 30"
• Cartridge Caliber: 30-40 Krag Smokeless
• Capacity: 5 round internal box magazine
• Service in US Army: 1892-1903
• Service in US Volunteers: March 1899-1902
• Service in Philippine Constabulary: 1906-1917

The US Army adopted the Krag rifle in 1892. Springfield would produce several different variants of the Krag from 1892 to 1899 at their plant in Massachusetts. An estimated 500,000 rifles were produced at Springfield Armory. Production ceased in 1904. The Krag would be the rifle credited for winning the Spanish American War, as well as the Philippine American War. It still remains synonymous to the Span-Am War era.

The Krag how ever was very short lived. It only saw two short wars and was already proven to be outclassed, out matched, and obsolete during the first war. The Spanish Mauser proved to be a better all around performer, as well as being a more robust war rifle than the Krag. Loading the Krag was also tedious, as it required loading one round at a time in to the box magazine, where as the Spanish Mauser took 5 round stripper clips that allowed for extremely fast reload. The Mauser was the superior rifle of the two wars, but the American soldiers outnumbered and out-gunned the Spanish and Filipino soldiers armed with Mausers. By 1901 Springfield had developed a new and improved battle rifle that incorporated features and characteristics of both the Spanish Mauser as well as the Krag. The US Army soon adopted Springfields new rifle and named it the M1903. The M1903 were quickly mass produced and outfitted to US Regulars. The Krags however would still find a niche in service. By 1906 the Krags would be re-issued to the Philippine Constabulary and other provincial police departments around the Philippines.

  

US Regulars firing Krag rifles at the outbreak in Manila, Feb 1899.

Famous Krag marching song of the Philippine-American War.

Damn the Filipinos


In that land of dopey dreams, happy peaceful Philippines
Where the bolo man is hiking night and day.
Where Tagalos steal and lie, where Americanos die,
You can hear the soldiers sing this evening lay..


Ch.
Damn! Damn! Damn the Filipinos,
Cross eyed khaki-ak ladrones.
Underneath our starry flag, civilize 'em with a Krag,
And return us to our own beloved homes.


Underneath the nipa-thatch, where the scrawny chickens scratch,
Only place to rest when hiking all day long.
As I lay me down to sleep, slimy lizards o'er me creep,
In that land where soldiers sing this evening song..


Social graces there are few, all the ladies smoke and chew,
And the men do things the padres say are wrong.
But the padres cut no ice, as they dine on fish and rice,
In that land where soldiers sing this evening song.

1895/97 Gatling Gun

• Weight: 395 lbs
• Barrel length: 32" (6-10 barrels)
• Cartridge Caliber: .30-40 Krag and .45-70 Government
• Range: +1000 yards
• Rate fire: 600-1000 per minute
• Service: 1865-1906

Invented by American Dr. Richard Jordan Gatling(neighbor of the Colt family in Hartford Connecticut), the Gatling gun is considered by many to be the first machine gun. It was first introduced during the Civil War in 1865. Several different models existed through out its advent. 6 to 10 barrels are positioned in a cylinder. Each barrel having its own chamber and firing mechanism. Ammunition is placed in a magazine canister and attached on top of the cylinder breech. A crank would be operated by the gunner, which would rotate the cylinder and barrels. The rotation loaded, cocked, fired, and ejected spent cartridges. The Gatling gun initially suffered many issues, as nearly all were hand built at the time and many parts were not uniform. By the 1890s, the Gatling gun had significantly improved, and in 1895 the US Army adopted the weapon. Due to the massive weight, they were first issued to Artillery Units and the guns were transported by horses and mules.





Soliders pose with Gatling Gun at Cavite. Philippine American War.

 

 
The Gatling gun saw much action during the Spanish American War. It gained fame in Cuba giving support fire while Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders assaulted San Juan Hill. Several examples were later shipped and used in the war in the Philippines.  
 
Gatling Gun Operation
 

Short 5 Barrel Compact Variant: Model 1877 Bulldog Gatling Gun

Model 1877 Bulldog Gatling Gun used in the Philippines 1899.

 "The last decisive use of the Gatling Gun by this country was in the Philippine Insurrection, shortly after the Spanish-American War, when a Gatling-armed gunboat was employed with considerable effect against the insurgents. The nature of the Philippinos made any extensive deployment and use of the heavy guns on land impractical." - Jim Bianchi, October, 1979, Man At Arms.




Caption Photo read: "Gatling guns trained on the Filipinos near Manila Feb 1899"





Gatling Gun at outpost protecting road between San Roque and Cavite. Feb 1899.



Gatling gun mounted on top deck of the armored patrol gunboat Napindan.

   

Gatling Unit at Baiquiri, Cuba. Spanish American War