<b>Contract Carbines</b>. Rifle-muskets were not the only weapons in short supply during the Civil War and the government, as well as individuals, sought weapons where they could. One characteristic of these purchased weapons is their inventiveness. In the midst of conflict the government did not have the time to experiment with new weapons, essentially continuing the manufacture of rifle muskets that were the creation of more peaceful times. Private companies on the other hand, sought to expand their markets by improving their product. The result was variety, particularly in carbines.
<ul><li>Cosmopolitan Carbine .52 SPAR 1240</li>
<li>Sharps Carbine New Model 1859 .52 SPAR 7356</li>
<li>Gallager Carbine .50 SPAR 1242</li>
<li>Smith Carbine .50 SPAR 1243</li>
<li>Burnside Carbine 5th Model .54 SPAR 1244</li></ul>
Springfield Armory NHS, US NPS
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nps.gov/spar/learn/historyculture/images/Case_10_b.jpg">Springfield Armory National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service Official Web-site)</a> (<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nps.gov/spar/learn/historyculture/contract-arms.htm">link</a>)