Ridgeway Civil War Research Center, A virtual examination of artifacts of the American Civil War
	Civil War Weapons, all pre 1898
	by Harry Ridgeway

Breechloader, Spencer seven shot rimfire carbine, Model 1860, 56/56 cartridge, not fitted with saddle riding bar, .52cal. . Spencer carbine was a repeater, capable of handling seven all weather or metallic rim fire cartridges at a time, providing a major advantage over the single shot paper cartridge percussion weapons previously employed. The so called 56 / 56 cartridge was used, this meant that the side of the cartridge fitted over the bullet was straight, however the bullet and bore are smaller at approximately .52 caliber. Seven cartridges were loaded by a magazine tube fitted through the butt. The magazine had an internal spring, cartridge was readied by raising and lowering a lever also serving as a trigger guard. Serial numbers run to about 67,000. Manufactured by Spencer Repeating Rifle Co., Boston, Massachusetts. Mark on top of frame: SPENCER REPEATING - / RIFLE CO. BOSTON. MASS. / PAT'D MARCH 6. 1860. . Serial number on rear of frame. Cartouches on the left side on the butt are typically weak, additional inspector marks may appear on the receiver, and barrel. Standard features include: The hammer striker head is flat and wider than the receiver, leaving an edge not aligned with the receiver. Chamber edges are sharp, bore has six lands and grooves. Carbine is fitted with an iron buttplate with hole and catch to secure the magazine tube, single iron band, Spencer long range sight. This early version was never fitted with a saddle bar, strap hook on bottom of butt. Research Center: Weapon2451-Breechloader-Spencer-Carbine-Model-1860-v1 . Reference: Flayderman 9B-086. Barrel length, 22in. Details click: http://relicman.com/weapons/Weapon2451-Breechloader-Spencer-Carbine-Model-1860-v1.html

W1322 ### Breechloader, Spencer seven shot rimfire carbine, Model 1860, 56/56 cartridge, not fitted with saddle riding bar, .52cal. (sn# 1758) . Spencer carbine was a repeater, capable of handling seven all weather or metallic rim fire cartridges at a time, providing a major advantage over the single shot paper cartridge percussion weapons previously employed. The so called 56 / 56 cartridge was used, this meant that the side of the cartridge fitted over the bullet was straight, however the bullet and bore are smaller at approximately .52 caliber. Seven cartridges were loaded by a magazine tube fitted through the butt. The magazine had an internal spring, cartridge was readied by raising and lowering a lever also serving as a trigger guard. Serial numbers run to about 67,000. Manufactured by Spencer Repeating Rifle Co., Boston, Massachusetts. Mark on top of frame: SPENCER REPEATING - / RIFLE CO. BOSTON. MASS. / PAT'D MARCH 6. 1860. . Serial number on rear of frame. Cartouches on the left side on the butt are typically weak, additional inspector marks may appear on the receiver, and barrel. Standard features include: The hammer striker head is flat and wider than the receiver, leaving an edge not aligned with the receiver. Chamber edges are sharp, bore has six lands and grooves. Carbine is fitted with an iron buttplate with hole and catch to secure the magazine tube, single iron band, Spencer long range sight. This early version was never fitted with a saddle bar, strap hook on bottom of butt. Research Center: Weapon2451-Breechloader-Spencer-Carbine-Model-1860-v1 . Reference: Flayderman 9B-086. Barrel length, 22in. Serial number, 1758. Rear sight is missing, band intact, this early carbine never had a bar and riding ring, hammer is the correct type but appears to be a replacement.

This is the "Ridgeway Civil War Research Center", a research tool for educational purposes only, and is provided at no cost to the reader. Some of the relics listed are retained in the author's collection, most reside in other collections and are not owned by the author. None of the items listed in this section are for sale, please refer to relicman.com sales listings for items offered for sale. This is a work in progress, I list items as I get to them, there are many patterns that are not listed yet, this list will be regularly updated as I get pictures and descriptions for more items. I will also correct mistakes, so if you see any please tell me. All items listed are believed to be authentic to the Civil War or as otherwise described. Any excavated relics have been recovered from private property with owners permission.This information is available for research purposes, pictures may be used by permission only.

All weapons listed on this webpage are strictly manufactured before 1898, and are considered unsafe for actual use. These are antique collectible weapons of the Civil War (most are pre 1865, unless I state otherwise) and actual firing of these weapons is not recommended for any purpose whatsoever! Because these are all "pre 1898" weapons, no licenses are required for ownership, but common sense and good judgment should be applied.

Most information on this page is from:
Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms......
John Thillman series, "Civil War Cavalry & Artillery Sabers...", or "Civil War Army Swords....".

Ridgeway Civil War Research Center, A virtual examination of artifacts of the American Civil War Weapons Research center, weapons, click: http://relicman.com/weapons/Weapon0000-Index.html. Research center, weapons, click: http://relicman.com/weapons/Weapon0000-Index.html.

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