**MORE UPDATES** Spencer Carbine Cleaning Tools - Civil War/Indian War Period

[Two Flints]

Hi SSS,

Just thought I'd post photos of the Spencer two blade combination tool as issued during and after the Civil War. 

This is an original example of the cleaning tool for a post Civil War Spencer carbine or rifle. This is the classic style that would have been used with the famous cartridge Spencer of the Indian War era. It is like the one illustrated on page 92 of the gun tool book. It has the screwdriver style blades very similar to the Civil War ones except the end with the hole is shorter than a Civil War example. This one is in excellent non-excavated condition and will be a superb addition to your gun's display.   Photos and text posted with permission from http://www.shilorelics.com







Two Flints

[Frenchie]

Two Flints, I don't have Roy Marcot's book yet. What other tools and implements, if any, were issued with the Spencer?

[Two Flints]

Hi Frenchie,

I took these two photos and included information from the Roy M. Marcot book, Spencer Repeating Firearms. 

Spencer Cavalry Cartridge Box



Weight 15 ounces empty; when filled with 20 56-50 rimfire cartridges weight was 2 pounds, 7 ounces.  The 20 hole box has a leather pouch that measures 6" wide x 2" high; the pouch was designed to hold a Spencer screwdriver (as above), cleaning patches, leather thong and brush for cleaning the bore.

Spencer Cavalry Pouch



The inner pouch held six packets of Spencer 56-50 rimfire cartridges; the smaller implement pocket pouch held cleaning patches, the leather thong and brush and screwdriver.

There were several other variations of the Blakeslee "Quickloader", the Howlett Cartridge Box,
the Bryan & Bigelow Cartridge Box, and the Schneider Cartridge Box. Each of these cylindrical loading devices had two glaring negatives which prevented the Ordinance Department from considering their adoption for military use - each, when loaded, was very heavy, and they would jam very easily, because of their very intricate internal mechanism. 

Howlett Cartridge Box (drawing only)


Bryan & Bigelow Cartridge Box


Schneider Cartridge Box


Two Flints

[Bead Swinger]

Hi Two Flints
Thanks for posting those photos.  I got myself one of those critters from S&S a LONG time ago.  Now they want $75 or something crazy.

To my recollection, the Spencers were issued along with a brush on a cord, and the combo tool.

To be honest, I use my tool all the time.  Those damn little screws that tie the lockplate and the trigger plate to the frame always seem to work loose.

[Black River Smith]

Thanks for the fine picture of the tool.  I think Dixie Gunworks wants about $50 for one.

I was wanting to make one but does anyone have an ideal what the best alloy to use?  Would cold rolled steel be hard enough in order to withstand the screwdriving force?

Thanks for any info.

[Two Flints]

Hello SSS,

Thought you'd like to see the cleaning tool that may have included or used for a Spencer Carbine.

"This is an excellent original example of the Civil War era bore cleaning brush for a cavalry carbine. This one has the full-length leather portion that was used top pull the brush itself through the barrel of the carbine. At the end of the leather strap, the brush and brass base are both complete and in fine shape. This is one of the pieces that came from the massive collection of Francis Bannerman in New York City. He bought up tons of the Civil War military surplus and sold the pieces for years. This bore brush is a must have to display with your nice Civil War carbine."  Photos & text posted with permission from http://www.shilorelics.com

[matt45]

Anyone know if anybody is reproducing the pouch that held the ammo and the accoutrements?

[Two Flints]

Matt45,

Take a look at this link:  http://www.jarnaginco.com/CWFedctgbxHiRes.html

I have a hard time selecting one of their models that is a close replica of the original Spencer Cartridge Pouch.  The original had no manufacturers name - and only one thousand were delivered with Spencer Navy Rifles back in 1863.

Let me know which one you select!

Two Flints

[matt45]

For some reason, the picture of the one that holds the 54 cal. cartridges didn't come through.  It will be academic until I get my Spencer (hopefully this week or the next) and replenish my funds.
Anyway, I reckon I'll eventually go with that.  There is no doubt in my mind the Blakeslee would be faster and better, but I don't think it was used much, if at all.  Of course, eventually I'll probably have both (boys and toys being what they are )
Thanks for the info

[Black River Smith]

Matt45,

For the Spencer Cavalry Box, go to Ebay and Search Cartridge box or Civil War pouch.  I was able to buy one, just like the first picture, for about $18 total.  There are several CW dealers selling on Ebay.

Also try Dixie Gun Works for CW pouches.

[Harve Curry]

I had PM'd Two Flints about these Spencer ammunition carrier and then lost the topic in the vastness of the Spencer Shooting Society Archives. This looks like it although I thought there was more. He stayed up late searching. Anyway this box looks surising like the feed magazine of a Evans Repeating Rifle. If Mr. Evans had seen this it might have been his idea to attach it to a rifle and make it feed. Hence the Evans Repeater.
On that screw driver tool. I have one similar to it for the M1 Carbine with the addition of a gas port pick.
                              yours,
                                           Harve Curry

Hi Frenchie,

I took these two photos and included information from the Roy M. Marcot book, Spencer Repeating Firearms. 

Spencer Cavalry Cartridge Box



Weight 15 ounces empty; when filled with 20 56-50 rimfire cartridges weight was 2 pounds, 7 ounces.  The 20 hole box has a leather pouch that measures 6" wide x 2" high; the pouch was designed to hold a Spencer screwdriver (as above), cleaning patches, leather thong and brush for cleaning the bore.

Spencer Cavalry Pouch



The inner pouch held six packets of Spencer 56-50 rimfire cartridges; the smaller implement pocket pouch held cleaning patches, the leather thong and brush and screwdriver.

There were several other variations of the Blakeslee "Quickloader", the Howlett Cartridge Box,
the Bryan & Bigelow Cartridge Box, and the Schneider Cartridge Box. Each of these cylindrical loading devices had two glaring negatives which prevented the Ordinance Department from considering their adoption for military use - each, when loaded, was very heavy, and they would jam very easily, because of their very intricate internal mechanism. 

Howlett Cartridge Box (drawing only)


Bryan & Bigelow Cartridge Box


Schneider Cartridge Box


Two Flints

[Two Flints]

Harve,

This is the thread that you were looking for.  I changed the wording of the title, which may have been the reason you had trouble finding it again.  Sorry about that. It's as it was except for the title change.

Two Flints

[Harve Curry]

If you look at the drawing of the Howlett cartridge box, it is segmented with a rotating divider, much like a Evans.