As the Civil War began, the rush to equip the Union’s first volunteers led to an extraordinary variety of weapons being issued—many unfamiliar, some unreliable, and few standardized. This program examines the remarkable array of firearms placed into the hands of the “Boys of ’61,” from elegant European imports to outdated flintlocks. Through an in-depth discussion and display of original weapons with historian and Military Images senior editor Phil Spaugy, visitors will explore the technical differences, origins, and challenges posed by these early arms, offering a rare glimpse into the chaotic beginnings of America’s largest armed conflict.