SPENCER CARTRIDGE?

[Riggleman]

I've found other CW items in the area where this was recovered. It's made of copper. My best guess is its a .56-56 Spencer cartridge.

 

[nhbenz]

Doesn't that diameter indicate more like a .44? And were Spencers double pin? Winchester maybe? I think there may be a U headstamp (Union Metallic Cartridges)
-The benefit to me being wrong is that someone will be even more eager to answer correctly.

 

[alabama11]

I posted a similar cartridge on the civil war forum several days back. View that and see if it compares, although it appears the one I posted is a little longer. Looks like the firing pin scar is the same as yours.

 

[jewelerguy]

if it's a 44 cal., it might be from a Henry

 

[Riggleman]

Here are my measurements compared to what Wikipedia has for the Spencer and Henry: Case length-20.85mm, Base diameter-12.75mm,Neck diameter-11.40mm,Rim thickness-2.0mm,Case thickness-0.50mm, it is also straight wall and rimfire. Some of the measurements are closer to the Henry, maybe cartridge manufacturing wasn't as strict and maybe distortion and stretch from being fired make the difference. Hope this helps and thanks for all your suggestions.