Why .36 = Navy, .44 = Army

[dcriner]

I understand that many Navy caliber revolvers were used by the Army (and perhaps, vice versa?). But, I presume that each of the two different calibers must have been originally preferred by their namesake service. Why?

 

[Zonie]

My readings tell me that Colt, who was already selling the .44 caliber Dragoons to the Army personally renamed the .36 cal 1851 "Belt Pistol" as the 1851 Navy.

It is speculated that he did this in order to sell the gun to the Navy but in those early years he was rather unsuccessful.

Because of the Texas Navel Battle scene on the cylinder the name Navy became a popular description among the civilians.

By the time the Civil War rolled around the 1851 Navy was very popular and it was bought and carried by many of the men in the Army.

The war created a huge demand for all pistols including Colts and the 1851 Navy was used by both the Army and the Navy.

 

[merdean]

I was told --- nothing to back it up---it was because the balls were lighter so more could be carried aboard ship. Something along that line. To save weight. Sounds logical. Sort of....

 

[trent/OH]

My reading on the subject was that sailors on boarding parties would be expected to shoot at people, for which the 36 caliber ball must have been seen as sufficient. Army troops, on the other hand, would be dealing with people on horses, and the larger 44 caliber ball would be needed to try to stop a horse.
And that information is worth every cent you just paid for it.

 

[nkbj]

Wondered the same thing and never came up with a right answer. Was it just marketing? Was it service rivalry? Did one turn into the other? Beats me.

 

[Vairochana]

I have heard that is is for stopping horses also.

 

[Stumpkiller]

There were probably more 1851 "Navys" used on the land than the seas.

 

[trent/OH]

There were probably more 1851 "Navys" used on the land than the seas.

If I were facing a charging war horse and looked down at that puny .375 RB, my optimistic spirit might falter a little.

 

[CoyoteJoe]

There were probably more 1851 "Navys" used on the land than the seas.

If I were facing a charging war horse and looked down at that puny .375 RB, my optimistic spirit might falter a little.

As if the .44 would be a great improvement. :haha:
I think it's just another of those things of which we must say "we will never know".