Joe Bilby

A question came up on one of the internet forums about the U.S. Model 1842 smoothbore musket compared to the rifled version of that model…

Published by Historical Publications LLC 520 Folly Road, Suite 25 PMB 379, Charleston, SC 29412

In May 1861, as the “Rebellion” was heating up, the Burlington Times of Burlington, Daily Vermont, published some instructive information on military…

New Jersey Governor Rodman Price, who viewed himself rather grandiosely, apparently decided to capitalize on his Adjutant General Thomas…

The Third New Jersey Cavalry was a most unusual unit, at least in appearance. The regiment

American rifle and shotgun manufacturer Henry Repeating Arms is commemorating Benjamin Tyler Henry’s 200th birthday with a limited-edition release of…

As the editor of GUNS Magazine, sponsor of this abundantly illustrated publication, notes, “Guns tell stories, and those associated with the Wild…

The most common smoothbore percussion musket in Confederate hands was most likely a U.S. 1816/22 converted from flint sometime after the Mexican War.…

While the term “buck and ball” is often used when describing smoothbore musket ammunition in the Civil War, the use of such ammunition was not unique…

I have mentioned Research Press Journal in this column before. It is a British publication, but there is a lot to learn in its pages for Americans…

When I was a little kid, walking up Broadway in New York City with my father and best friend Ron, I saw something in a store window on lower Broadway…

In the years following the Civil War, a lot of folklore regarding small arms became part of the American story. One of these tales, regarding the…

New Jersey sent two brigades to Virginia in 1861. The first was a four regiment militia brigade enlisted for 90-days service; the second the official…

Hugh Judson Kilpatrick has been accounted an irresponsible scoundrel, or worse, not only by historians but by his fellow soldiers, who dubbed him…

While the history of the American Civil War is an area of great interest to hobby participants there is also a historical piece to the reenactment…

If you were a black powder fan back in the 1930s into the early 1950s, you were pretty much on your own. You had to either find a shootable original…

Buffalo Arms is currently selling loaded obsolete black powder cartridge rifle ammunition. One caliber of interest to Civil War shooters is the 56-50…

Pietta USA, which now owns EMF and is probably the dominant reproduction revolver source, has introduced a new “Deluxe Grande Californian” model…

At the outbreak of the Civil War, William d’Alton Mann joined the 1st Michigan Cavalry, where his charisma won him election as a captain, even though…

USMC, Sergeant I Corps, Helicopter Support Vietnam (1969-1971)

Garry Yee, author of Sharpshooters 1750–1900: The Men, Their Guns, Their Story, a book that has become an instant classic and go-to source on the…

During Centennial, when historians were less aware of historical firearms, it was commonly believed that Brigadier General John Buford’s horse…

I know a guy who uses a reproduction Colt. 44 caliber Walker six gun for plinking and wild hog hunting. The gun has performed reliably for him over a…

While there are serious and legitimate disputed interpretations and reinterpretations of history, the past, especially in the popular view, has…

If I were asked to choose my favorite firearm among the many I own, there is no doubt I would instantly select my Model 1863 Springfield .58 caliber…

One of the most interesting historical small arms related businesses I have come across in some time is Eras Gone Bullet Molds. Company founder Mark…

In my December column, I wrote about the confusion at the Civil War Centennial reenactment of the Battle of Antietam. In doing so I ventured an…

In my December 2018 column, I wrote about problems British troops had during the Sepoy Rebellion in India when their Enfield P53 rifles fouled up so…

As most readers of this column know, I have been acquiring original news photos of twentieth century battle reenactments. A recent acquisition…

In response to my last column on British ammunition problems in India during the Sepoy Rebellion, my friend Bill Adams added that, “They were still…

We are back at the battle of New Bern again. Another interesting newspaper clipping arrived from my North Carolina friend Skip Riddle.

After a conversation with some friends about Spencer rifles and/ or carbines issued to infantry “sharpshooters” in the last year of the Civil War, I…

If there was ever an iconic publication in the gun world, it would have to be Gun Digest. The classic annual, now celebrating its 72nd year of…

I recently received some more material for my Civil War firearms in the field information file from my North Carolina correspondent and battlefield…

Dave Powell is, of course, the ultimate Chickamauga guru. His expertise goes well beyond that crucial battle, though. Dave recently posted some words…

Reader Jay Hull wrote me after reading my May column discussing the prototype of Pedersoli’s new reproduction .54 caliber Model 1854 Lorenz rifle.…

160 pages of the best selection of historical reenactment items from Medieval era to Civil War era. Includes over 60 pages on our famous tents and a…

I like it when a topic “lingers” as reader Jim Thomas, the brother of Dean Thomas, the ammunition guru, characterized it. The topic, unsurprisingly…

I recently heard from friend Bill Adams regarding his work with the Massachusetts Antique Arms Collectors’ annual outing. Bill has organized a…

One of the best things about writing this column is the information you get in response when you write about something interesting and unusual.…

I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of George Lomas of The Regimental Quartermaster sutlery in September. I realize that almost everyone…

Muzzleloading double-barreled shotguns were in use early in the Civil War by some cavalrymen, particularly Confederates, but were usually replaced…

New Jersey Arms Collectors Cancel Show

Black Powder Equivalency and

Reader Harold Ruhl sent me an email with the following question:

Instructing the “Stupids”

Most Civil War historians and buffs are aware of the famous afteraction report regarding the muskets and rifle-muskets picked up on the Gettysburg…

This month I would like to report on an interesting Civil War firearms postal match between my friend Bill Adams’s 34th Virginia Cavalry Battalion…