Model 1860 Spencer Carbine / SOLD
Model 1860 Spencer Carbine - Inventory Number: RIF 159 / SOLD
The Spencer was the world's first military metallic cartridge repeating rifle, and likely the most feared longarm deployed by the Union Army during the Civil War. Designed by Christopher Spencer in 1860, the Spencer uses a lever action falling breech block fed from a tubular magazine in the buttstock that held seven .56-.56 rimfire cartridges. Its adoption by the Union Army was long delayed by the conservative Ordnance Department that feared the cost and potential ammunition wastage associated with widespread issuance of the weapon. The longer, three-band Spencer rifle had shown great potential from its limited issue to units like the 5th and 6th Michigan Cavalry, which used their Spencers to great effect at the Battle of Gettysburg, and Wilder’s “Lightning Brigade” at the Battle of Hoover’s Gap. Shortly after the Battle of Gettysburg, Spencer was able to gain an audience with President Abraham Lincoln, who invited him to a shooting match and demonstration of the weapon on the lawn of the White House. Lincoln was deeply impressed with the weapon and ordered Gen. James Wolfe Ripley to adopt it for production. From 1863-1865, roughly 50,000 of the shorter Spencer Carbines were produced (in the 11,000 to 61,000 serial number range), and nearly all of them saw service during the Civil War.
This is a fine example of the Model 1860 Spencer Carbine in original, unaltered condition. The action is crisp and functions perfectly. The saddle ring, sling swivel, sights, and tubular magazine follower are all present. The carbine retains the clear marking in three lines “SPENCER REPEATING RIFLE CO BOSTON, MASS, PAT’D MARCH 6, 1860. The carbine has the matching serial numbers 53969 and was likely issued in the fall of 1864. The closest serial number to this rifle that is listed by the Springfield Research Service is #53968, which was issued to Company E of the 6th Indiana Cavalry. All exterior metal services retain an attractive, smooth plum brown patina with areas of vivid case coloring, particularly on the breech block and loading lever. The bore is bright and in excellent condition with sharp rifling. The stock is in good condition with some dings and dents from service and retains two sharp cartouches reading “MMJ (armory sub-inspector Martin M. Johnson) and DAP (armory sub-inspector Dwight A. Perkins. This is a crisp, attractive Spencer Carbine that is an essential addition to any Civil War firearms collection.