US Army lever actions
- Thread starter Fred S
- Start date
lonegunman
New member
I dont think a tubular magazine fed lever action (eg Henry, 1873, 1892, etc) was ever standard issue to any US Soldiers.
They were, however, bought and used by soldiers personally.
They were, however, bought and used by soldiers personally.
I was just thinking about this in the shower today (OK I can't hold a tune so...)
The spencer carbine set up the great union victory at Gettysburg when spencer equipped cavalry troopers prevented confederate forces from taking the high ground. The battle of the RR cut allowed the Union forces to position themselves on Cemetery ridge . OK I am no professional historian so correct me if I am wrong here
After the war Custer was defeated by Native Americans who were equipped with many repeating rifles, including many spencers. While the cavalry under Custer had their spencers taken away and were issued single shot Trapdoor Springfields!
The US Army has never been toobright when it comes to individual weapons, it always seems to be a step behind!
The spencer carbine set up the great union victory at Gettysburg when spencer equipped cavalry troopers prevented confederate forces from taking the high ground. The battle of the RR cut allowed the Union forces to position themselves on Cemetery ridge . OK I am no professional historian so correct me if I am wrong here
After the war Custer was defeated by Native Americans who were equipped with many repeating rifles, including many spencers. While the cavalry under Custer had their spencers taken away and were issued single shot Trapdoor Springfields!
The US Army has never been toobright when it comes to individual weapons, it always seems to be a step behind!
lonegunman
New member
Was the Spencer a tube magazine lever action? I though that was what we were talking about.
As far as the Henry's are concerned, I didnt think the ones in service were bought by the US govt, but instead by individual soldiers, but I may be wrong.
I also think the 1895 Winchester may have been used some in the Spanish American war, but I thought it too was purchased mainly on an individual basis by soldiers, and not in large quantities by the government.
I may be wrong about any and all of this, so please educate me if you know for sure.
As far as the Henry's are concerned, I didnt think the ones in service were bought by the US govt, but instead by individual soldiers, but I may be wrong.
I also think the 1895 Winchester may have been used some in the Spanish American war, but I thought it too was purchased mainly on an individual basis by soldiers, and not in large quantities by the government.
I may be wrong about any and all of this, so please educate me if you know for sure.
The 1895 was purchased by the U.S. Army as I have one in my gun cabinet with the US mark. Were rifles purchased by individuals marked with the US stamp? I didn't think so but don't know for sure. I am trying to sell the rifle for my uncle so any info that would help...
Thanks!
Nash...
Thanks!
Nash...
Lonnie Jaycox
New member
There was a unit of what I think was called mounted infantry at Chickamagua that used Spencer repeaters to anchor the left flank of a broken Union line there against a larger force of very determined attackers --they held off the southern gents until dark, stopping a rout and allowing an organized retreat, under cover of dark into Chattenooga. It is my understanding that these troops were horse mounted soldiers armed with repeating rifles, but were not considered Cavalry since they did not fight from horseback or with the saber. There could be quickly deployed and leave the horses back a ways--dismount and take up regular infantry positions and use infantry tactics--Sherman's version of the rapid deployment force--the first delta's?
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
I once had a Model 1895 Winchester in .30-'03 with military markings, though the few other military critters I've seen were in .30-40 Krag.
Nashgill, find a copy of Fjestad's "Blue Book". It will give tons of information about pricing, and there is a color photo section on how to figure the NRA percent of original condition. It's limited for info of "specialty" production guns...
Art
Nashgill, find a copy of Fjestad's "Blue Book". It will give tons of information about pricing, and there is a color photo section on how to figure the NRA percent of original condition. It's limited for info of "specialty" production guns...
Art
The Spencer was a tubular magazine lever action, but the magazine was in the butt stock like some .22 rifles.
The lever (re)loaded the chamber, but did not cock the hammer, which had to be drawn back manually.
As a rule, lever actions were rejected by the army for two good reasons. The early ones were low powered and short range compared to most single shot rifles, and they were difficult to field strip for cleaning. (Anyone who wants can compare bolt removal in an 1892 or 1894 Winchester with bolt removal of a Krag or Model 1903.)
Jim
The lever (re)loaded the chamber, but did not cock the hammer, which had to be drawn back manually.
As a rule, lever actions were rejected by the army for two good reasons. The early ones were low powered and short range compared to most single shot rifles, and they were difficult to field strip for cleaning. (Anyone who wants can compare bolt removal in an 1892 or 1894 Winchester with bolt removal of a Krag or Model 1903.)
Jim
Mike Irwin
Staff
The Henry rifle was never officially issued during the Civil War. Units bought their own.
Spencers were issued, and were finally withdrawn from service around 1870-75 in favor of the single-shot Trapdoor.
Taking the Spencer out of service actually made some sense at the time.
Supply was made significantly easier, and it was felt that the carbine would be more appropriate for issue to troops fighting on the Great Plains, where they could engage Indians at considerably greater distances than with the Spencer.
I've often wondered why the Army didn't simply reengineer the Spencer to take the standard handgun round of the time, the .45 S&W, and mix its issue with the Trapdoors. That way you'd have the benefit of the extra firepower and also have a long-range striking ability.
Spencers were issued, and were finally withdrawn from service around 1870-75 in favor of the single-shot Trapdoor.
Taking the Spencer out of service actually made some sense at the time.
Supply was made significantly easier, and it was felt that the carbine would be more appropriate for issue to troops fighting on the Great Plains, where they could engage Indians at considerably greater distances than with the Spencer.
I've often wondered why the Army didn't simply reengineer the Spencer to take the standard handgun round of the time, the .45 S&W, and mix its issue with the Trapdoors. That way you'd have the benefit of the extra firepower and also have a long-range striking ability.
Lonnie Jaycox:
The unit to which you refer was Wilder's Brigade...a battle-hardened unit of mounted infantrymen from Indiana and Illinois. Three or four of his regiments were armed with Spencer carbines, and they did terrible damage to the Confederates facing them. There is a stone tower dedicated to Wilder's Brigade on the Chicakamuga battlefield.
For more info, read This Terrible Sound, by Peter Cozzens. It is the best book written about the Chickamauga battle.
The unit to which you refer was Wilder's Brigade...a battle-hardened unit of mounted infantrymen from Indiana and Illinois. Three or four of his regiments were armed with Spencer carbines, and they did terrible damage to the Confederates facing them. There is a stone tower dedicated to Wilder's Brigade on the Chicakamuga battlefield.
For more info, read This Terrible Sound, by Peter Cozzens. It is the best book written about the Chickamauga battle.
OTHER MILITARIES
Interestingly enough, other military forces used lever actions with great success. These include, but are not limited to:
--The Souix light calvary used some surprisingly advanced lever actions, which proved their worth against Trapdoor Springfields at Little Big Horn.
-The Turkish army used many Winchester '66 .44 rimfires during the 1870's and 1880's. Most famously, they used them to beat off a much larger Russian force at the Battle of Plevna in 1877.
-The Russian army used Winchester '95's through WWI and beyond.
I'm sure others can add more.
Interestingly enough, other military forces used lever actions with great success. These include, but are not limited to:
--The Souix light calvary used some surprisingly advanced lever actions, which proved their worth against Trapdoor Springfields at Little Big Horn.
-The Turkish army used many Winchester '66 .44 rimfires during the 1870's and 1880's. Most famously, they used them to beat off a much larger Russian force at the Battle of Plevna in 1877.
-The Russian army used Winchester '95's through WWI and beyond.
I'm sure others can add more.
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
AVAST THERE! 
Terry! Belay the use of all-caps!
1,500 rounds per gun? Sheesh! The French Army didn't shoot that much, much less their Navy! All that stuff must still be in an unknown warehouse, somewhere in La Belle France. Heckuva collector's stash!
, Art
Terry! Belay the use of all-caps!1,500 rounds per gun? Sheesh! The French Army didn't shoot that much, much less their Navy! All that stuff must still be in an unknown warehouse, somewhere in La Belle France. Heckuva collector's stash!
, ArtMike Irwin
Staff
They may not be deaf in Sturgis, but I am now.
Don't let the big letters get to you folks. Terry's always done that, probably always will. Most likely comes from shooting all those Corbons, they make you have to type louder. 'Sides, does this look like the kind of guy who is going to change his ways any time soon? http://www.sixgunner.org/members/murbach_images/wedding1.jpg
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
Shucks, he doesn't look old enough to be that stubborn. Besides, courtesy is a virtue, particularly among gentle-folk.
, Art
, Art