Spencer Repeating Rifle

Spencer Repeating Rifles in the Field

Spencer Repeating Rifle Patent, 1860
(National Archives)

By the end of the war, there was a large variety of breech-loading carbines available. This firearm was vastly superior, especially the Spencer repeating rile. The Spencer repeating rifle is a leaver-action rifle with the ability to hold seven shots. These seven shots could be fired in quick succession before having to be reloaded. After each shot, the simple flick of a lever would prepare for the next round of fire, saving an amazing amount of time and accuracy in the battlefield, having the ability to fire seven times every ten seconds. 

This technological feat represented a true revolution in firepower. The repeating rifle also offered new war tactics from that which was used before during battle, adding a new time-based measurement to close-range combat. This marvelous rifle only required four drill movements to reload, maximizing time efficiency and enemy casualties. This technology came later, when the war was already in process and gave the Union a strong upper hand in the battle at Chickamauga.

Author: Jessica Strickland, March 26, 2015