The 1851 Navy .36 Caliber was one of the most popular revolvers of the pre cartridge era (and even survived as a cartridge conversion gun well into the late 19th century). Notable users include Bill Hickock, John Wesley Hardin, Jesse James, Robert E. Lee. When Jefferson Davis became Secretary of War, he made it the standard issue pistol for the 2nd U.S. Cavalry serving in Texas. It was used by Cavalry and officers on both sides of the War for Southern Independence.
According to my research, the power of this gun is, by modern standards, the equivalent of a .380 acp. I realize, back then, after being shot by ANY gun you would very likely die of infection if you survived the initial gunshot. (but then men were known to have walked around all their lives with bullets lodged in them). BUT, in the immediate combat situation, whether as a gunfighter, mounted cavalry or infantry officer, if I had a ticked off Confederate charging at me with a bayonet or a swarm of Union soldiers charging my line of defense, or was having to outshoot somebody in a bar room or knock somebody down in a cavalry charge....wouldn't I want something that would do the job? Or have we modern people underestimated the .36 caliber (and by extension the .38 Long Colt and the .380 acp?)
The moros in the phillippines sure convinced the U.S. Army that the .45 Long Colt was needed over the .38 Long Colt. Or am I missing something?
I was watching the movies Gettysburg and Glory the other night on TCM and saw several union officers using said weapon in pretty rough situations