What weapons did the bushrangers use?

Answer 1

During the Australian Bushranger Era any handgun or rifle that was reliable new technology was used.This question is a difficult one, as the technology during the bushranging era was rapidly evolving. As a result weapons were invented patented, manufactured in small to medium runs by modern standards, distributed, improved and superseded quickly.

Weapons of choice

• rifles
• revolving rifles
• pistols
• revolvers
• revolvers [double trigger]

Tranter was a locally made gunsmith and weapons were readily available. During the 1860s Tranter revolving carbines and rifles were amongst the firearms on issue to the NSW Police.

Ben Hall

In 1863 the Bushranger Ben Hall and his four companions rode into the NSW central west town of Bathurst where they went to Bartolomeo Pedrotta's gunshop asking to see the latest revolving rifles and Tranters patent revolvers. The frightened gunsmith had none to show them but offered his stock of Colt handguns, the bushrangers informed him the Tranter revolvers they already had were better and then promptly left.

Ben Hall was typically armed with a double trigger revolver and revolving rifle, both tranters. Ben Hall's gang, attacked the local member of parliament for Murrumbidgee On December 19th 1864 William Macleay, while travelling on the Sydney to Goulbourn road between Towrang and Shelley's Flat about 10km south of Marulan. Ben Hall's 3rd model Tranter revolver was found when he was shot dead by a party of police under Inspector Davidson at Billabong Creek, between Forbes and Bogan Gate on the 5th of May 1865.

Johnny Gilbert

Johnny Gilbert's favourite gun was the Tranter revolving rifle he had taken from a squatter named William Davis on March 4, 1865.

Fred Ward, Bushranger under the alias of Thunderbolt, also used a Tranter revolver. The following passage reveals:

"Thunderbolts Tranter revolver, with which he fired at police was found in the waterhole where he was shot, having four empty chambers, the fifth was loaded and apparently had misfired. His second revolver, a Colt, was picked up where Walker had persued him."

Ned Kelly

Ned Kelly carried a great variety of weapons, at Glenrowan Monday 28th June 1880 where Ned Kelly was captured and his gang made it's last stand, they found a Colt Model 1851 Navy revolver in. 36 calibre, a stolen Webley RIC police revolver possibly in. 476 calibre and also possibly a Colt Model 1849 Pocket revolver in. 31 calibre. He was also trying to use a Colt Model 1856 revolving rifle in. 56 calibre. The other gang members were using stolen Webley police revolvers and at least two Winchester Model 1873 rifles, probably in. 44 calibre. Previous Kelly weapons included a cut-down Enfield Pattern 1853 rifle in. 577 calibre, a Snider rifle (calibre unknown) and a Spencer repeating rifle that Kelly took from the police after Stringybark Creek.

Reports from NSW Police Gazette 1862 - 1864

The following reports of stolen firearms were listed in the NSW Police Gazette between 1862 and 1864.

"18-3-1863 page 80, Mr John Rutherford, of the Darling River, was stuck up near Wambangalang, on the road between Dubbo and the Lachlan, 20 miles from Dubbo, by two armed men, and robbed of a revolver by Tranter, two tins of Eley's cartridges for revolvers, clothing and a horse.

22-4-1863 page 117, found in the possession of Henry Wilson who was caught passing a note stolen from the Tamworth and Murrurundi mail, a five barreled revolver marked Challinor (sic), 61 King Street, Sydney, No.14129T, along with a watch, various bank notes and a saddle.

28-12-1864 page 415, stolen on the evening of the 19th instant, from the shop of Henry Challinor (sic), gunsmith, King Street, -a six inch Tranter's seven chamber revolver, brass mounted and chased, chambers' brass or gunmetal. Value 5 pound 5 shillings.

7-6-1865 page 415, stolen on the 29th ultimo, from the shop of William John Whitfield, King Street, Sydney, a small size imitation Tranter's revolver, the name supposed "Purday" in bright letters on the barrel. The robbery was committed by two chinamen."