the next generation of breech-loaders such as the Sharps rifle (1848), Spencer carbine (1860), and others. The Halls were used in the Mexican–American War, against Native Americans, and in other, smaller conflicts. Some saw service in the American Civil War; however, by this time, many rifles were worn out over 30 years of use. The Buenos Aires State Forces acquired (perhaps around 1854, when the US cavalry began to replace it with the Sharps) a small amount (probably no more than 50), to be used in the fight against the Confederacy and the Indians, remaining in use until 1881, always by the forces of Buenos Aires. It may be that some were issued to the Escort Squadron of Buenos Aires, and others to the infantry. One can be seen at the Museo de Armas de la Nación (establishing that it was used in the war for National Organization between 1852 and 1862). In 1812 there was in the Artillery Park, a Hall rifle of the same system but of the original 1811 flint model, perhaps a handful of them entered the country (Around ten), disappearing from the Park in that same period. As part of the process, Hall built his own shops and machinery at Harper's Ferry, and along with inventing this weapon, he invented many machines, paving the way for uniform manufacturing of weapons with interchangeable parts. The ruins of his shops are still visible today. Similar guns The Sartoris carbine, based on the earlier Crespi breech-loader, was an almost identical design issued in limited numbers to the British army from 1817–1825. The brass trigger guard also served as a handle to slide the barrel forward, and the breech pivoted upwards to enable loading in a similar manner to contemporary muzzle loading pistols. Sartoris' design was tested on many flintlock arms, including a Baker rifle and a regulation cavalry carbine, and at least one sporting gun was converted to caplock by Alexander Forsyth. One of these rare guns is part of the Royal Armouries collection in Leeds. See also Rifles in the American Civil War References External links An article on the Hall rifle, with drawing The breech of Hall rifle opened Guns of the American West American Civil War rifles Rifles of the United States Single-shot rifles Early rifles