The Spencer .52 caliber, repeating carbine, one of the earlier Spencer short arms, was invented and patented by Manchester, Connecticut native Christopher M. Spencer. This Civil War specimen is an example of the 1st 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. The first Spencer carbine contract to the government was July 13, 1863 and the first delivery made to the Ordnance Dept on October 3, 1863.

This carbine bears a serial # 43295, weighs 8 lbs. 4 oz., and has an overall length of 39”. Carbine has a 22” long round barrel fitted to a two-piece, oiled walnut stock / forend that is in very good used condition with dings and dents scattered throughout. There is even a hint of saddle wear on the butt. Stock has very faint cartouche marks visible. The bore is good with light surface dirt.

Barrel has plumb colored finish overall; also has the original folding rear sight and small brass blade front sight.

The original, steel, tubular loading magazine located in the buttstock is in very good, undented condition. Spring is strong and the magazine fits snugly in the shoulder stock. 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. Stamping is worn on one end. A strongly stamped serial # 43295 on the top of frame behind the hammer.

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

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

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