copyright William Marion 2008
Black Powder Revolver
The Online Magazine and Resource for Black Powder Revolvers
Jun 2006 Edition
At the start of the American Civil War, the Confederate States had very little industrial capacity. According to the U.S. Census of 1860, the soon to be Confederate states accounted for less than 10% of the country’s manufactured goods. The economy of the southern states was based on agriculture while the northern states were heavily industrialized. At the start of the war, the Confederation retained only 3% of U.S firearm production capability. Many sources report that the strategy of the Confederate states was to use their agricultural products to purchase firearms and war materials from overseas sources. To supplement these purchases and to counter the Union blockade of southern ports, several attempts were made to manufacture firearms within the Confederacy. One example of these efforts is the Spiller & Burr revolver.
The Spiller & Burr is interesting both in terms of a firearm and the men behind it. In his book, Colonel Burton's Spiller & Burr Revolver, Matthew Norman chronicles the history of both. This book was great to read for a history and firearms aficionado such as myself. While the firearm gives you a material link to the past, Norman takes things a step further and brings the men and the historical context of the Spiller & Burr to life.
The Spiller & Burr is interesting both in terms of a firearm and the men behind it. In his book, Colonel Burton's Spiller & Burr Revolver, Matthew Norman chronicles the history of both. This book was great to read for a history and firearms aficionado such as myself. While the firearm gives you a material link to the past, Norman takes things a step further and brings the men and the historical context of the Spiller & Burr to life.
Colonel James Burton
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Most revealing was that it appears that the motivation to produce this revolver was based more on profit than patriotism. Edward Spiller and David J. Burr while loyal to the confederacy were also enterprising businessmen. When the war started, it was clear that southern arms production needed to increase. With the assistance of Lt. Col. James H. Burton a Confederate ordinance officer, Spiller & Burr were contracted by the Confederate government to produce 15,000 revolvers. These revolvers were a close copy of the Whitney revolver, patented in 1851 by Eli Whitney Jr. There were a few modifications made to deal with materials shortages. The frame was made of brass due to a shortage of steel and the cylinder made of iron rather than steel.
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Book Review:
Colonel Burton’s Spiller & Burr Revolver
Colonel Burton’s Spiller & Burr Revolver
Continued next page
The Spiller & Burr Revolver
