This class covers the rise of the breechloader in the US and Europe.  Developments in this field were accelerated rapidly by European tensions that led to war in 1870 and 1914. 

Arms to be studied:

Sharps 1859 breech-loader

British Snider breech-loader

French 1866 needle-gun

US Springfield 1873 .45-70 carbine

Swiss Vetterli

German 1871 Mauser

1893 Mauser rifle