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Caption: American model 1865 Spencer breech-loading carbine

The Spencer repeating rifle was a development of the model 1860 carbine used by the United States cavalry during the American Civil War. One of the very first magazine rifles, this weapon could fire more than one shot without needing to be reloaded. Spencer rifles were issued to some units of the Canadian Volunteer Militia in 1866-67. This was an panic reaction to the threat of raids by Fenian insurgents, themselves armed with Spencers. (Parks Canada)