SPENCER Featured in "Sherman's March"

[matt45]

 
I watched "Sherman's March" On the History Channel this past Sunday.  The Sergeant (I can't place his name right now) carried a Spencer, and it featured prominently at the depiction of the battle of Griswoldville.
It appeared the actor firing the Spencer was having some trouble getting the dummy rounds to feed, as he was loading single shot.
Of course, I am not an expert , but I thought the program was pretty well done

[French Jack]

there is also the possibility that he was using the Stabler or even the Spencer cut off to allow use as a single shot, holding the magazine in reserve for a real extremity.  IF he was seeking to be really authentic.  Of course, those blanks made up for the Spencers are not too great on function.  I had some blanks turned out of aircraft aluminum to replicate the dimensions of a loaded cartridge, bored through and recessed in the head to accept a 209 primer (shotgun)-- the powder is loaded into the passage from the nose, and held in place with florist's foam.  Makes a good bang and cloud of smoke.  Feeds fine.  Just have to be careful not to lose them in the grass, but since they are aluminum, not too difficult to spot. 

[Drydock]

Guys, the various forms of magazine cut off for the Spencer were introduced after the war.  The M1860s that Uncle Billys boys carried had none.  Having said that, I too liked the depiction of the Spencer, the commentary about it et al.  I suspect in a fight such as Griswoldville, a trooper would run thru his magazine, then single load on the line rather than take the time to recharge the magazine in the middle of a fire fight.  So it was an accurate depiction.