wow. This is EXCELLENT information - just what I was looking for in one place. Thank you so much for taking the time to write this list and illustrate the differences for me. I am a sponge! Loving every minute of learning about the Civil War and my ancestors in the Texas participation. I do have a Great Grandfatherx3 and his two brothers that participated also, but in Baton Rouge, La. (LATIL family). I am trying to learn about guns and rifles. It is said that my Great Grandfatherx4 invented a repeating rifle and gun about 1832. I do have confirmation that he designed a six chamber revolving prototype obtained from the Army Navy Chronicle as well as a news article. Rumor in our family is that Samuel Colt "stole" part of his design. Samuel Colt traveled the Mississippi River enthralling people with demonstrations of laughing gas. I heard the LATIL family went to court at least 6-7 times regarding this and lost each time. I am going to post in the Louisiana board too. I want to learn want "percussion" means on a gun (I have seen this in association with Latil's design). This Latil family ran gunshops for years (documented). They were even challenged (in newspapers) to shooting contests. ha ha... Anyway, thank you again. I will be rereading! PS: my Latil relatives were captured twice (once at the Port Hudson)