The following is information graciously provided by Jim Goecker on weapons carried by the 3rd Indiana Cavalry. Jim is currently working on an in depth regimental history for the regiment as has been an invaluable source of information. I can’t wait for the book to come out.
There are incomplete ordinance reports for 1863. The reports mention a variety of carbines- Gallaghers, Sharps, Burnsides and even a few Smiths.
The first reports for Cos. L & M appear in January 1864 and shows Co. L armed with Gallaghers and Co. M armed with Sharps. However, the report only shows Co. L with 56 and Co. M with 31 of these weapons. It is unknown what the remaining members of these companies were armed with. It also shows the West Wing armed with the lighter .36 caliber Navy Colt revolvers.
April 1864 shows mostly Gallaghers for the West Wing with a few Smiths and Sharps. This is the most complete report. It also lists mostly Colt navy revolvers with a smattering of Starr Army .45 caliber and Whitney Navy in Cos. G & H.
July 1864 shows all companies of the West Wing armed with Burnsides except for Co. M which had Sharps. Both Colt Army and Navy revolvers are listed for all companies.
The final report is dated in December 1864 and only reports
on carbines with both Cos. L & M listing Spencers. It is unknown whether the Spencers were
received prior to leaving