Designed for cavalry use but not issued to Federal horse soldiers until October 1863, the Spencer .52 caliber, 7-shot metallic cartridge repeating carbine was invented and patented by Manchester, Connecticut native Christopher M. Spencer. This weapon system proved to be the most successful and sought-after firearm of the Civil War.   

Presented here is a fine, original specimen of that engineering design known as the Civil War Model or Model 1860 Spencer carbine. The US government contracted for 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 very fine, original shoulder arm bears serial # 33043 and has an overall length of 39” and weighs 8 lbs., 4 oz. Lockplate was casehardened but now exhibits a smooth, pleasing mix of chocolate-plum / dark gray patina overall. In very excellent, strong condition, this carbine has a 22” long barrel fitted to its two piece walnut shoulder stock / fore-end.  Barrel wears a mixed gray-brown patina overall. Has its original brass blade front sight, and a single, folding rear sight with sliding “V” notch elevation bar stamped in increments to 800 yards.  The bore with six lands and groove rifling shows bright and in fine strong condition. Original fore-end is tight with no cracks or splits.  

Two excellent military cartouches are stamped onto the shoulder stock just back of the sling bar.  Government sub-inspector marks visible on major lock / receiver components.  Stock also exhibits areas of light rubbing at the wrist and forend from use typical use along with light scattered old dings and scratches. Unique to this type carbine was its tubular magazine located in the buttstock for storing and feeding the .52 caliber (.56-.56) rimfire metallic cartridges to the receiver.  Magazine held seven copper / brass bullets and when the operating lever was worked, the magazine would feed the cartridge forward into the breech.  Top flat of the receiver, forward of the hammer, is strongly stamped with “SPENCER REPEATING / RIFLE CO. BOSTON MASS / PAT’S MARCH 6, 1860” in three lines. Serial # 33043 is located at the rear of the breech near the hammer. Carbine sling bar and sling ring are tightly attached to the left side of stock. Screws are in very good condition and not buggered up. Other metal surfaces of the carbine appear dusky gray and exhibit just scattered pinprick rusting. Iron butt plate and magazine are strong and tight and both wear a mottled dark gray coloring. Carbine exhibits crisp, strong mechanics.  The iron swivel and base at the toe under the stock was removed and wears a period wood inlay that may be factory crafted.  

An original, complete Civil War Model 1860 Sharps carbine in outstanding overall condition makes this shoulder arm a perfect highlight to any cavalry collection or military weapons display.

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire!