The 1860 Henry rifle offers superior rate of fire and handling, making it the 'assault rifle' of its era despite lower individual round power. The 1865 Spencer carbine, while slower to operate, boasts significantly more projectile mass and energy, proving more durable for military field use and effective for longer ranges. A normalized test showed the Spencer's power advantage in target movement per hit, but the Henry's overall speed and capacity were key differentiators.
This video analyzes a unique smoothbore Spencer conversion, identified as a surplus 1865 carbine modified for civilian use. The conversion features a 20-gauge smoothbore barrel, retaining some rifle sights, suggesting its use as a 'foraging' gun. The presence of a Stabler cutoff mechanism is also detailed, allowing for single-shot use while preserving magazine capacity.
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