Spencer Rifle/Carbine

One of the most advanced infantry weapons of its day, the Spencer fired a self-contained, metallic, rimfire cartridge that fit inside a seven-shot magazine in the butt. When the trigger guard was lowered, the spent cartridge was expended. As the guard was raised, a new cartridge would be drawn into the breech. A popular weapon with Union troops, the US Government purchased over 95,000 during the war.