The Model 1860 Spencer repeating carbine reached the field in October 1863, the first deliveries actually going the 7th Connecticut Infantry, which is a nice counterpoint to the Spencer infantry rifles, which first went to cavalry units. The carbine is a strongly built, compact weapon firing .52 caliber waterproof rimfire cartridges from a 7-shot magazine, which made it become the dominant cavalry weapon of the war. This one is serial number 26464, giving it a production date of May or June 1864 by Marcot’s production tables, just after the factory had sent off a new run of about 2,000 army rifles falling in the 22-24,000 serial number range. This fits the standard carbine configuration: 39 inches long, 22 inch barrel, two-piece walnut stock and 7-shot tubular magazine inserted through the buttplate.
Rifle date made ca 1862 associated person Lincoln, Abraham maker Spencer Repeating Arms Company place made United States Measurements overall: 47 1/4 in; 120.015 cm ID Number AF.297603.3 accession number 297603 catalog number 297603.3 serial number. Is there away to look up Spencer rifle/carbine history from the Civil War and Indian Wars? I have a 1865 model 20' barrel carbine, cal.56-50, the serial number is 1864 production date.
Front sight and rear sight with ladder and bar are present. The sidebar with sliding ring for the carbine sling is present and the buttstock retains its bottom sling swivel allowing for a sling with forward loop buckling around the barrel as well. The barrel is smooth metal, blue turned plum brown in tone. The receiver is a mix of gray and brown with some mottling from the case hardening. The hammer shows some mottled blue of case hardening. The breech mechanism lowers crisply and shows smooth silver gray metal as well with some blue on the screw of the block. The three line company marking on top of the breech block is sharp, reading, “SPENCER REPEATING / RIFLE CO. BOSTON MASS / PAT’D MARCH 6, 1860” in three lines with a slight “chatter” at the date showing it was struck twice. The serial number appears on the receiver at the upper wrist and is crisp.
The wood shows average wear for a gun carried in the field. Both stocks show scattered dark areas, scratches, dings and pressure dents. The right butt stock shows a shallow divot above the sling swivel, a long incised line forward of it and scattered dings. The left shows similar dark spots, scratches, and pressure dents, fairly normal on the side of the stock banging against the horse and rider while in movement. Nevertheless the stock still shows two faint, but visible inspector’s cartouches at the left wrist aft of the sling bar base and wood fits the metal tightly with the exception of some small chips along upper lockplate. The bore has visible rifling and the mechanics are good.
This is nice example of a carbine carried in the field that shows use but not abuse and would be a key piece in a cavalry or Civil War small arms collection. [sr]
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Spencer Repeating Rifle, 1863 | |
Spencer Repeating Rifle, 1863 | Spencer Repeating Rifle, 1863 |
Spencer Repeating Rifle, 1863 | |
Spencer Carbine Serial Number Dates For Sale
| Title | Spencer Repeating Rifle, 1863 |
| Object Name | Rifle |
| Description | Spencer Repeating Rifle, 1865. Serial Number 5518. The Spencer Repeating Rifle was used by U.S. Calvary units after the Civil War. The lever action rifle has a saddle ring attached to it. The 18.5' barrel of the firearm rests in 8.75' section of stained wood, which is then connected to the firing mechanism. The buttstock of the firearm is approximately 14.25' in length, is a section of stained wood, and has the name 'AVERY' carved into it. The firearm is held together by 14 flathead screws and one metal band which holds the barrel to the stained wood section. The lever action moves forward and backward in a perpendicular direction in order to extract a cartridge. The hammer of the firearm also moves forward and backward. On the top of the firearm is a sighting device, which slides forward, toward the barrel, and backward, toward the buttstock. There is also an oval-shaped loop on the underside of the firearm's buttstock, which could be used to attach a strap. On the back end of the buttstock is a 4.5' section of metal where a person's shoulder would rest. This section also has a slightly raised, ribbed section which appears swivel. |
| Date | 1863 |
| Collection | 3D - Personal Objects |
| Creator | Spencer, Christopher |
| Role | Designer |
| Inscription Text | 'AVERY' (carved into stained wood on stock); 'A' (carved into stained wood on stock); 'SL' (stamped into stained wood to the right of saddle ring and stamped in cursive); 'HEY' (?) (stamped into stained wood to the right of saddle ring and stamped in cursive); 'C' (stamped on top of metal section at stock); 'C.S.L' (stamped into stained wood on top of stock); '5518' (stamped into metal near left side of the hammer); 'MODEL 1865' (stamped into metal behind to sighting device); 'SPENCER REPEATING RIFLE / PAT D MARCH 6 1860 / MANUF D AT PROV. R.I. / BY BURNSIDE RIFLE Co' (stamped into metal behind sighting device) |
| Provenance | Weapon Technology |
| Notes | 'The Spencer 1860 was an American lever action rifle. Designed by Christopher Spencer, the Spencer was the world's first military repeating rifle, with over 200,000 examples of the Spencer produced in the United States by three manufacturers between 1860 and 1869. The Spencer repeating rifle was adopted by the Union Army, especially by the cavalry, during the American Civil War, but did not replace the standard issue muzzle-loading rifled muskets in use at the time. The Spencer carbine was a shorter and lighter version.' [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spencer_repeating_rifle] 'On June 27, 1864, the Burnside Rifle Co. entered into a contract with the Ordnance Dept. to manufacture about 30,500 Spencer Model carbines with deliveries completed by Aug. 31, 1865. With the changes directed to be made to the carbines, deliveries did not start until April 15, 1865, and they continued until the end of October, with a 30,496 M1865 Spencer carbines being delivered. In total, the Burnside Company made just over 34,000 of this carbine. They paid Spencer Repeating Rifle Co. a royalty of 50 cents for each carbine delivered to the Ordnance Dept., and $1 was paid for the 4,000 Spencer carbines sold to military individuals and civilians.' [https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/spencer-rifles/burnside-rifle-1865-contract-model-spencer-carbine.cfm?gun_id=101068601] |
| Dimensions | H-37.25 W-1.5 D-4.5 inches |
| Dimension Details | 37.25 x 1.5 x 4.5 (height is from barrel to buttstock) |
| Search Terms | Blakely, Andrew B. Cavalry Rifle Military Modern America Weapon |
| Subjects | Civil wars Guns Rifles Weapons |
| People | Blakely, Andrew B. |
| Credit line | Courtesy of Andrew B. Blakely |
| Catalog Number | 1969.043 |