The Warner carbine was one of the lesser-known but still important breechloaders of the Civil War era. It was designed by James Warner of Springfield, Massachusetts, who had earlier worked for Springfield Armory. He developed the Warner carbine during the war as a strong, simple, single-shot breechloader that used a metallic cartridge — part of the Army’s ongoing effort to modernize its cavalry arms. Production took place at the Springfield Arms Company, and the government placed two main contracts for them during the conflict.

The first contract guns, often called “First Type” carbines, used a brass frame and fired a .50 rimfire cartridge. The later “Second Type” models had iron frames and were chambered for the .56-50 Spencer cartridge, which made ammunition supply easier in the field. Both versions loaded by swinging the breechblock upward, sealing the cartridge securely and allowing for faster reloading than a muzzleloader — a major advantage for mounted troops.

Warner carbines were issued in limited numbers late in the war to units including the 1st Wisconsin and 3rd Massachusetts Cavalry, among others. These guns saw service mainly in the later campaigns of 1864–65, including operations in the Shenandoah Valley and around Petersburg. Soldiers appreciated their accuracy and solid build, though by the time they appeared, repeaters like the Spencer were already taking center stage.

After the war, thousands of surplus Warner carbines were sold off. In 1870, the New York firm Schuyler, Hartley & Graham bought around 2,500 of them and sold the lot to France for use in the Franco-Prussian War. Those guns saw action again, this time in European hands — most likely in the hands of French National Guard and reserve troops defending against the Prussian invasion. The remainder were sold on the civilian market in the late 1870s.