Do you have any source authority regarding the "obsolescent" claim regarding the Wesson Rifle, or that the reputation for accuracy involved post-war target model and not the wartime model?

With 1864 being the key date in question, I would refer you to two 1864 sources pertaining to the wartime reputation of the Wesson Rifle, and the high regard in which it was held.

On pp. 638-39 of "The American Annual Cyclopedia and Register of Important Events of the Year 1864," (published 1865), there is reference to both the Smith Rifle and the Wesson Rifle. In regard to the Smith Rifle, there was a on paragraph review of it that included the brief comment about how it was a "very simple, yet accurate and effective rifle." In regard to the 6 pound, 24 inch barrel Wesson Rifle, just two paragraphs after the brief reference to the Smith Rifle a much lengthier commentary was presented in regard to the Wesson Rifle and the high regard in which it was held in 1864--"...of the rifles using the self-exploding cartridge, two only have much reputation among those which are not repeating guns and must be recharged for every shot. These are F. Wesson's and Ballard's." Regarding the accuracy of the Wesson in the year 1864, this same source stated "extensive trials of this rifle with others, and gives it the preference over all others in accuracy, penetration, and range." Continuing, this source then speaks of the wartime trial of the 6 pound, 24 inch barreled Wesson Rifle in which 20 consecutive shots hit a target at a range of 200 yards, and 50 shots were made in 5 minutes.

Yet another 1864 source--"Hints to Riflemen" by H.W.S. Cleveland, at pp. 151-52, states that the Wesson Rifle was "superior to any gun of its size using the self-exploding cartridge." The same source referenced a contest at the Missouri State Fair that year in which three infantry companies participated. In that contest, targets 300 yards away were used. The Wesson Rifle hit the target 45 times out of 100 shots. The second place weapon hit the target 13 times out of 100 shots.

In regard to the question of whether the 5th MSM Cavalry was using Wesson Rifles in 1864, I would point out that the 3rd MSM Cavalry was using Wesson Rifles that year--and the 3rd MSM, being the forward-most U.S. troops in southeast Missouri, and being the tip of the Federal spear against major raids by Confederate regulars in 1863 and 1864, were very well-armed and well-equipped.