Arming the Union through Innovation, Genius, and Agency
Men, Machine, & the Carbine
The Civil War helped to raise awareness and support for arms advancements in both the civilian and government-run factories. Without the desperate need for arms, including carbines, and the soldiers’ growing support, the advancements may have not evolved so quickly. The war also provided funding for those innovations through the government contracting system. During the war, portions of the military adopted rifling, tested priming ignition systems, advocated for breechloading mechanisms, and even promoted repeating rifles and carbines.
Advancements in Carbines
ARTIFACT: NATIONAL FIREARMS MUSEUM | PHOTO: ALLISON AND BRITTANY VENTURELLA
rifling of a New Model 1865 carbine
ARTIFACT: NATIONAL FIREARMS MUSEUM | PHOTO: ALLISON AND BRITTANY VENTURELLA
This magazine of the Spencer Carbine Model 1865 was one of the parts that made the Spencer repeatable.
ARTIFACT: NATIONAL FIREARMS MUSEUM | PHOTO: ALLISON AND BRITTANY VENTURELLA
Open breech of a New Model 1865 Sharps Carbine
ARTIFACT: NATIONAL FIREARMS MUSEUM | PHOTO: ALLISON AND BRITTANY VENTURELLA
Pellet Primer of a New Model 1865 Sharps carbine