The British Light Dragoon saddle pistol, used in the American Revolution, looks quite a bit different from the semi-automatic Sig Sauer service pistol used by today's military. The saddle pistol, also called the horse pistol, was designed to be worn on the user's body or mounted on their saddle. These early pistols could only fire a single shot, while today's Sig Sauer M18 can be equipped with a 21-round magazine.
To determine which sidearms were used by the U.S. Army since the 18th century, 24/7 Wall St. used data from the Army report Survey of U.S. Army: Uniforms, Weapons, and Accoutrements. For earlier weapons, we listed the era in which they were primarily used, but for more modern handguns, the exact years of use are noted.
Military personnel needed weapons that were strong and durable, and that they could rely on even as the war ramped up. The U.S. Army adopted pistols as some of their main fighting and protectionary measures, and have used pistols in some capacity ever since.
Since the 17th and 18th centuries, firearm technology has grown increasingly complex. Pistols have more weather resistance, are easier and more accurate in use, and can be used in both civilian and military settings.
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