By Roy Marcot. This is more than a gun book about one of the most famous rifles of the Civil War. It is also the biography of C.M. Spencer, one of the most important mechanical inventors of 19th century America. The book describes in word and pictures, the colorful history of the development and use of the first effective repeating breech loading military rifle. Also covered are Spencer's other firearms including the Roper rifles and shotguns and pump action Spencer sporting shotgun. Large hard bound book.