The Spencer .52 caliber, repeating carbine, one of the early Spencer short arms, was invented and patented by Manchester, Connecticut native Christopher M. Spencer. This specimen presented is a very fine example of the 1^st Model Spencer seven-shot carbine without any of the modifications that were added later in the war. The U.S. government contracted for a total of over 95,000 Spencer carbines during the war with 65,000 made at Spencer’s Boston, MA factory and 30,000 of the weapons made at the Burnside Rifle Company in Rhode Island.

This carbine bears an early serial # 12720, weighs 8 lbs., 4 oz and has an overall length of 39.” The earliest Model 1860 Spencer carbine, serial # 7886, was produced in early 1863. The first carbine contract to the US government was July 13, 1863 and the first delivery made to the Ordnance Dept on October 3, 1863. This early model .52 caliber carbine has all gunmetal that wears a smooth, even dark gray-plum patina overall. Stampings are clear and sharp. The carbine has a 22” long round barrel fitted to a two-piece, oiled walnut stock / forend that is in very good condition with just normal dings and dents overall from service. Two cartouches are visible just back of the saddle ring bar on the left side. Also has a soldier’s lightly scratched initials “W H” above the cartouches.

The bore is semi-bright with some areas of moderate pitting near the muzzle. Six groove rifling is strong. The original, steel, tubular loading magazine located in the buttstock is in excellent undented condition. Spring is strong and not dented. This tube was used to store seven 56-56 caliber Spencer copper / brass rimfire metallic cartridges that fed the receiver with an extra cartridge in the chamber. Loading tube fits into a brass sleeve unlike the iron sleeves found in later models of this carbine. Top flat on the receiver, forward of the hammer, is stamped with “SPENCER REPEATING / RIFLE CO. BOSTON MASS / PAT’S MARCH 6, 1860” in three lines. All stampings are sharp. The strongly stamped serial # 12720 is located on the top of frame behind the hammer.

The heavy, regular Spencer carbine sling bar and sling ring are tightly attached to the left side of stock. Lock screws are in very good condition, not buggered up. Iron butt plate wears a mottled dark gray coloring. Carbine exhibits crisp, strong mechanics and retains its single sling swivel under the stock.

Some of the cavalry regiments who were issued the Model 1860 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. This short arm is an excellent, original, early Spencer Civil War M1860 carbine.

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