The Spencer .52 caliber, repeating carbine was invented and patented by Manchester, Connecticut native Christopher M. Spencer. 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 was made to the Ordnance Dept on October 3 of that same year.

This carbine bears a serial # 58690 and has an overall length of 39”. Carbine has a 22” long round barrel that has the original folding rear sight and small, brass, blade front sight. Barrel is turning a plumb brown with scattered hints of blue along with some scattered areas of missing finish where white metal shows through. Bore is very good with light dirt. Needs punched.

Receiver is semi-dark with only hints of the case colors remaining. Mostly on the right side. Left side feels rough with surface dirt and grime. Top flat on the receiver, forward of the hammer, bears a weakly stamped “SPENCER REPEATING / RIFLE CO. BOSTON MASS / PAT’S MARCH 6, 1860” in three lines. Action is excellent.

Weapon is fitted with a two-piece, oiled walnut stock and forend that is in good condition with light to moderate dings, dents and scratches from service. The heavy-style Spencer carbine sling bar and ring are tightly attached to the stock’s left side. In the wood, just to the rear of bar tang, is a carved letter “H.” Stock has no visible cartouche. Both the left and the right side of the butt have a single small, closed, horizontal crack approx. 1.00 inch long starting at the edge of the buttplate. These types of small cracks are commonly seen on Spencers in this area

The original, steel, tubular loading magazine located in the buttstock is in very good, undented condition. Spring is strong and magazine fits snugly in the shoulder stock. Lock screws are in good condition showing light wear. Iron butt plate wears a plumb brown patina that matches the rest of the metal on the weapon. Carbine retains its single sling swivel under the stock near the toe.

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