Chickamauga 2013: the 150th

[Sean Thornton]

This is history in the making for the reenacting community.  Bentonville 2010 there were 23 of us armed with the Henry rifle.  This was probably the largest group ever so armed since the Civil War.  Chickamauga hopefully will prove a larger presence of repeating rifles.  I think so far we have 11 or 12 Spencer rifle owners planning on it, in addition to probably 20 or so Henry rifles.  We will be portraying the 17th Indiana part of Wilder's Brigade.  Wilder's Brigade was armed with both Spencer rifles and Henry rifles. I finished putting the finishing touches on 1400 blanks for my .56-50 Spencer Rifle. Four days of "battles" a person could easily go through 150 to 200 rounds per day.

[Sean Thornton]

.56-50 blanks getting ready for Chickamauga 150th 2013.

[Jobe Holiday]

That is really impressive!

J.

[Sean Thornton]

That is really impressive!

J.

Thanks, in the picture is only 300 rounds.  I was going to put all 2000 in a pile and take a picture but I didn't.  It is a lot of work but a lot of fun. Chickamauga will be probably the largest number of repeating rifles in a reenacting unit ever.  We look to have at least 11 Spencer rifles and 20 Henry rifles portraying the 17th Indiana Infantry of Wilder's Brigade.

[Eggman]

Asking your indulgence in case this has been covered before-- who manufactures the blank cases? Do you use a normal rifle primer?

[Sean Thornton]

Asking your indulgence in case this has been covered before-- who manufactures the blank cases? Do you use a normal rifle primer?

I use 32 guage shotgun shells. Price is around $135 per1000 already primed with a 209 shotgun primer.  Check out the links

Firing my blanks in my Spencer rifle:


Reloading video


Excellent link for making Spencer blanks.  http://44henryrifle.webs.com/spencerrifleblanks.htm

[Two Flints]

The Spencer (red) blanks are terrific and work just fine in my original Spencer Rifle, and Carbines.

Two Flints

[Oregon Bill]

That is just cool! My great great uncle was at Chickamauga. He was the regimental bugler for the First Wisconsin Infantry.