Calisher and Terry carbine
The Calisher and Terry Carbine was an early
.Approved by the British War Office for use by cavalry, it was first issued to the
Design and History
William Terry patented the design on April 12, 1855. The design used a bolt and a unique cartridge which held the bullet encapsulated within a nitrated paper wrapper holding the appropriate powder charge, with a greased felt wad at the base to help seal the breech. The cartridges were chambered in .54-calibre (13-mm) Minie.
The following year Terry formed a partnership with Bertram Calisher, and they were successful in promoting both private sales and having it adopted by the British War Department. In addition to being issued to the
A number were used during the American Civil War, particularly by the Confederates, but they were never a standard issue for any unit.
Metal cartridges became increasingly popular from the 1860s onward, and many competing arms such as the Sharps were converted to these, but the basic design of the Terry meant that this was not feasible, and the company closed down in 1870.[2]
Notable users
- Jeb Stuart,[2] Confederate States Armygeneral
- Jefferson Davis,[2] President of the Confederate States of America
- Gustavus von Tempsky's Forest Rangers[3][4]
References
- ISBN 978-1-108-06729-4.
- ^ a b c "Battle of the breechloaders: Calisher & Terry Gwyn & Campbell: two of the Civil War's most unusual carbines go head-to-head" Garry James, Guns & Ammo, Mar 22, 2013
- ^ "Clearing the Bush", 1913, Henry Willy, The New Zealand Herald"
- ^ "Colonial Defence Force, Special Forces, and the Armed Constabulary", 1966, Te Ara