A fine, early example of the Spencer 1^st Model seven-shot carbine that was invented and patented by Manchester, Connecticut native Christopher M. Spencer. During the war, over 95,000 Spencer carbines were contracted by the US government, 65,000 at Spencer’s Boston, MA factory and 30,000 at the Burnside Rifle Company in Rhode Island.

This .52 caliber rimfire shortarm bears low serial # 49009, measures 39” long and weighs over 8 lbs. All gunmetal has been cleaned to a light gray overall. Barrel has just scattered light fine pitting. Has no original blue or case colors. Retains its original long range folding rear sight and the brass blade front sight. Carbine has a 22” long round barrel fitted to a two-piece, oiled walnut stock & forend.

Stock wood is in excellent condition with a thin government cartouche at left wrist behind the sling ring bar. Stock also shows one small repair at right side, opposite trigger, where a 7/6” x ½” silver has been added. Else fine with normal dings and dents from service. Forend has one barrel band. Bore dark with rifling strong. Original, steel tubular magazine located in the buttstock is in excellent condition. Spring is strong, and tube fits snugly in stock. Tube was used to store seven 56-56 caliber Spencer copper / brass rimfire metallic cartridges that fed the receiver with an eighth cartridge in the chamber.

Top flat on the receiver, forward of the hammer, is marked with maker stampings “SPENCER REPEATING / RIFLE CO. BOSTON MASS / PAT’S MARCH 6, 1860” in three lines. All lines visible but show light wear. Serial # 49009 stamped on top of frame at hammer. The regular, heavy Spencer carbine sling bar and sling ring are tightly attached to the stock’s left side. Lock screws not buggered up. Various sub-inspector marks are seen on major components. Iron butt plate wears a mottled gray coloring. Carbine exhibits crisp, strong mechanics and retains its single sling swivel underneath the stock.

Cavalry regiments who were issued the M1860 Spencer carbine were: 1^st Connecticut Cavalry, 1^st, 2^nd, 4^th, 5^th, 6^th, 7^th Michigan Cavalry, 4^th US Cavalry, 5^th New York Cavalry, 1^st New York Veteran cavalry, 2^nd Wisconsin cavalry, 8^th Indiana Cavalry, and the 1^st New Jersey Cavalry. A fine original Civil War model Spencer carbine.

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