Name/Title
Spencer Carbine RifleEntry/Object ID
1987.01.1825Tags
Civil WarDescription
Spencer breech-loading carbine, .52 caliber forged steel barrel, wood stock. The Spencer carbine was one of the most popular firearms of the Civil War though it was not issued until the latter part of 1863. Its distinguishing feature is that it had a magazine that could hold seven metallic rimfire cartridges, which were fed to the breech by a compressed spring in the magazine. The magazine was loaded through the butt of the rifle. When the trigger guard was lowered, the breech block dropped down, and the spent cartridge case was ejected. As the trigger guard returned to its normal position, the breech block moved up and in the process, caught a new cartridge and inserted it in the breech. To expedite the loading process, the Blakeslee quick-loading cartridge box was designed, which held several loaded magazines that could be quickly inserted in the butt. In all, more than 95,000 Spencer carbines were purchased during the war by the federal government.Firearm Type
RifleCollection
Artifact CollectionFirearm Detail
Manufacturer
Burnside Rifle CompanyDate Made
circa 1863 - circa 1870Time Period
19th CenturyFirearm Notes
GunLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Primary Object Term
CarbineNomenclature Sub-Class
FirearmsNomenclature Class
ArmamentsNomenclature Category
Category 05: Tools & Equipment for Science & TechnologyDimensions
Dimension Type
OverallHeight
5 inWidth
39 inDepth
2 inOther Names
Name Type
Former Object IDOther Name
182Condition
Reason for Exam
InventoryOverall Condition
Very Good