Weapons of the New Zealand Colonial Forces - 1860(ish):

The Colonial government of New Zealand (basically run from Sydney Australia) had armed forces equipped with muskets and later - the 1853 Enfield - a rifled musket.

The 1853 Enfield rifle was much more accurate than the earlier smooth-bore muskets. It weighed about 4kg and was about 4 foot 9 inches long plus a 21 inch socket bayonet.

Model 1853 British Enfield - Rifled Musket.

These Enfields were also widely used by both sides in the American Civil War.

Taranaki 1868

In 1861 the New Zealand Government ordered Calisher & Terry Carbines from Birmingham UK as the longer Enfields were poorly suited to warfare in the dense wet bush here.

Calisher & Terry Carbine. (Percussion).

These "Terry" carbines were a step forward as they were better in heavy bush conditions, could be reloaded while lying down - or even while running forward, and were lighter. They were much favoured by the Forest Rangers irregular forces. The Rangers were first formed following a recruitment invitation in the Auckland Daily Southern Cross  31st July 1863 - seeking ''Active Young Men" to join and enjoy " a comparatively free and exciting life for themselves."

Action open for reloading.

The Forest Rangers also preferred the 1851 Colt Navy to the widely used British built Beaumont Adams five shot .44 percussion revolver - as it was lighter.

1851 Colt Navy Revolver.36" Calibre

Beaumont Adams .44" 

Major G F von Tempsky personally ensured that the men under his direct command in the 'irregular' Forest Rangers were also armed with large Bowie style knives (blacksmith made from cart-spring steel) and he organised training in the combat use of these edged weapons. Rangers were taught to carry their knife held in their left-hand laying back along the wrist / arm ready to block blows but able to snap-out to stab. The right hand was of-course filled with the revolver.

Only Known Remaining 'von Tempsky' Bowie Knife.

Von Tempsky was well travelled and worldly-wise -  who had been military college educated in Prussia Europe and had 'worked' in pioneering parts of the world before landing-up in New Zealand. - Well worth reading of his life. - Sadly he appears to have lost his life striving to earn a medal that he felt he should have been awarded earlier, - that went to a colleague (Charles Heaphy V.C.).

The Forest Rangers found their knives performed duty as 'bush knives' - being much used for clearing the way through dense bush and also for digging shallow shelters and throwing the earth up in front as some protection against bullets.

Two other critical items the 'irregulars' found essential were the blue army issue blankets carried two for every four men - which were fastened together and thrown-over a ridge pole to give shelter in the fern for the four men - at least from the dew.

The other essential item for the Rangers was the Rum Bottle - cased in leather for protection from breakage. When camping on the trail of hostile Maori they could not light a fire for cooking or warmth as this would invite volleys of lead sniper fire - " So we just lay down as we were, wet and cold, and we'd have been dead but for the rum."

Marty K

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