Rifled Musket
 |
Model 1861 Springfield |
 |
Enfield Musket |
This term, adopted in 1855, designated those shoulder arms that retained the outside dimensions of the old smoothbore muskets but had rifled barrels. While the smoothbore muskets fired a solid round shot, the rifled muskets fired a minnie ball. The rifled muskets had more speed when fired, and could do greater damage to the unlucky soldier who was wounded in battle.