Weapons

Handguns Recovered from the USS Cairo

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The wide variety of personal arms recovered from the USS Cairo bear witness to the unusual composition of the crew, and to the scarcity of weapons early in the war. Handguns recovered from the Cairo ranged from the Army-issued .44 caliber Colt, to an assortment of 19th century pistols.

 

Longguns Recovered from the USS Cairo

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Shoulder weapons were, for the most part, Army muskets, but a least a few shotguns were among the weapons aboard.

 

Ordnance Recovered from the USS Cairo

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The USS Cairo's combination of smoothbore and rifled cannon fired a variety of ammunition, including solid shot, explosive shell, grape shot, and canister rounds.

 

Below Left: The firearm accessories found on board include cartridge boxes, one with the tin insert intact, several .44 caliber pistol bullet molds, and a powder flask.

Below Right: Artillery parts and appendages recovered from the USS Cairo include such items as wooden ammunition boxes (upper left) and the small metal keys used to set timed fuses (lower right).

 

Firearm and Artillery Accessories Recovered from the USS Cairo

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