Weapons of the Mexican American War

During the Mexican American War, the U.S. soldiers were much better equipped and trained than their enemies. The standard issue rifle for the U.S. infantryman was the .69-caliber, smoothbore flintlock musket. This was accurate up to one hundred yards and there were ten different variations of this kind of musket.. While percussion muskets were more advanced at the time only a few soldiers carried the percussion “Mississippi rifle.” Standard sidearms were flintlock or percussion smoothbore pistols that were inaccurate beyond 10 to 15 yards. Many officers purchased their own Colt revolvers. These revolvers could shoot six rounds before reloading and could shoot all six rounds, and reload in the same time that a standard flintlock or percussion pistol of the time could fire and reload one round. All soldiers carried bayonets for close quarters combat but swords and bowie knives were used too. Officers also carried double-barreled shotguns. The U.S. cavalry was equipped with short-range breach loading carbines. The United States most distinct advantage was its Flying Artillery. The cannons, howitzers, and mortars were top notch and could fire quickly and accurately wherever they were needed. It was noted that the artillery could fire every ten to fifteen seconds. Mexico had no way to make its own arms so it purchased all its weapons from European arms dealers. Most of Mexico’s weapons were outdated British rifles and cannons. The Infantry used the British .753-caliber “Brown Bess” which were used during the Revolutionary War. The sharpshooters and those proven in combat were given more expensive and better quality rifles. After being defeated, it was recorded that many of the Mexican soldiers just threw away their weapons in a hasty retreat and the U.S. soldiers commented that in efficiency, every three Mexican muskets were equal to one U.S. musket and that all of the muskets had a British Tower seal on them. In close quarters combat, the Mexicans had shorter bayonets and sabers. Often times, the ammunition would not fit in the muskets correctly and the poor powder quality caused them to use more resulting in a higher kickback. The Mexican Cavalry was quite experienced with lances. The lances had an eight-inch blade with four sides and at the end was a flag used to frighten the horses. The lances were as deadly as they were intimidating. The Mexican Cavalry was the most revered position in the Mexican Army. The Mexican artillery could not fire explosive shells or canisters, used to take out large amounts of infantry, they could only fire solid cannonballs and their main goal was to take out opposing artillery rather than to punch holes in the infantry. Near the end of the war, the cannons were being forged by local blacksmiths and drawn by mule or civilian carts. These homemade cannons often failed to fire to their maximum range. Due to superior training, weaponry, and tactics of the United States Army, a victory seemed imminent for America but Mexico was able to at least use its cavalry to slow the American advancement.