My question was why weren't these available in 1860 (because they were difficult to make for the time). These were lethal weapons that could kill a man up to 50-75 yards. They also worked like a bolt action rifle with a 10 round magazine, giving tremendous advantage in shooting power against muskets. The magazine was easy to load and the gun didn't need to be recharged until after the 40th round. This one gun has been credited (by some) to the Louis and Clark expedition's success in pacifying the Indians enough to get them across the continent without being seriously attacked, an interesting thought.