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EARLY REPEATING RIFLES Hammer
AND IMPERIALISM 1815–1914
The development of the unitary cartridge in the mid- Cylinder axis rod
19th century paved the way for the “repeater” rifle. This new
weapon fed ammunition from a magazine to the breech as part
of a single action that emptied the used cartridge case from the
chamber, cocked the action, and readied the gun to fire.
The first repeaters were mostly American, and used an under-
lever design. Europeans, however, were familiar with the bolt
action from single-shot Mauser and von Dreyse rifles of the
1870s, and came to prefer it in repeating guns. They considered
the bolt action not only easier to use in a prone position, but
also safer—because when the bolt was turned, the action was
locked by lugs connecting with other parts in the receiver.

▼ SPENCER RIFLE The Spencer, which had a ▲ COLT REVOLVING RIFLE The 1855 was the third model
Date 1863 tubular seven-round magazine MODEL 1855 of the Colt Manufacturing
in the butt stock, was the Company’s 1838 revolving
Origin US world’s first practical military Date 1855 rifle. It made a considerable
Y Weight 10lb (4.55kg) repeater. It was adopted by the Origin US 1 impact, even though the loading
Weight 7 ⁄2lb (3.45kg)
procedure of the five-chambered
Union Army in the American
INDUSTR Caliber .52in Butt contains Barrel 26 ⁄4in (68.2cm) cylinder was cumbersome.
1
Barrel 28 ⁄4in (72cm)
Civil War.
3
Caliber .56in
tubular magazine
Barrel band
Trigger guard and
breech-operating lever

▶ SPENCER CARBINE MODEL 1865
Date 1865 Rear sight
Origin US
Weight 8lb (3.7kg) Hammer
Barrel 20in (51cm)
Caliber .50in
For this model, Christopher Spencer
amended the design of his original repeater
rifle and carbine to eliminate minor faults.
The 1865 carbine had six-groove rifling.
It was also made under contract by the
Burnside Rifle Company.

Trigger guard
and cocking lever

▼ WINCHESTER CARBINE A modified Henry Model 1860,
MODEL 1866 the 1866 allowed the reloading—
Locking catch even part-full—of a magazine
for cocking lever Date 1866 via a port on the receiver.
Origin US
This doubled the rate of fire
1
Weight 9 ⁄4lb (4.2kg) to 30 rounds per minute.
Barrel 23in (58.5cm)
Caliber .44 Rim-fire
▲ HENRY MODEL 1860 In Tyler Henry’s repeating
Date 1860 rifle, an under-lever ejected
a spent round, chambered a
Origin US
new one, and left the action
3
Weight 8 ⁄4lb (4kg) cocked. A two-piece bolt
Barrel 20in (51cm) joined by a toggle-joint
locked the action.
Caliber .44in Rim-fire
Trigger guard
and cocking lever