Weaponry, Marine Corps
Weaponry, Marine Corps.The Marine Corps from its beginnings was smaller in numbers than other services and was often thrown into action against larger forces. This fact led to a constant search for superior firepower. The result was adoption of more effective weapons ahead of both enemies and sister services.
During the Revolutionary War, the Continental Marines were armed with British and French muskets of the day. These were variations known as “sea service” models. They were shorter for use in tight spaces aboard ship and aloft, with brass fittings, and the barrel and lock were tin‐plated to resist corrosion from salt air and spray. Use of these arms continued well into the nineteenth century, with new developments such as percussion cap locks replacing flint ignition and rifled barrels replacing smoothbores. The Hall breech‐loading rifle was used in a 1832 campaign against pirates in Sumatra. Early...
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