Christopher M. Spencer

American inventor and manufacturer

Also known as: Christopher Miner Spencer

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Article History

Quick Facts

In full:: Christopher Miner Spencer

Born:: June 20, 1833, Manchester, Conn., U.S.

Died:: Jan. 14, 1922, Hartford, Conn. (aged 88)

Also Known As:: Christopher Miner Spencer

Inventions:: Spencer carbine

Christopher M. Spencer (born June 20, 1833, Manchester, Conn., U.S.—died Jan. 14, 1922, Hartford, Conn.) was an American inventor and manufacturer. In 1860 he patented a repeating carbine whose seven cartridges could be fired in 18 seconds. It was quickly adopted by the U.S. government for cavalry use, and Spencer built his own factory, which produced 200,000 Spencer carbines and rifles during the Civil War. He also patented a breechloader and a magazine gun. He later contributed considerably to the technology of drop forging. His innovative screw-making lathes enabled the huge success of his Hartford Machine Screw Co. (established 1876).

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