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Civil War Spencer Model 1860 Saddle Ring Carbine

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:2,450.00 - 3,400.00 USD
Civil War Spencer Model 1860 Saddle Ring Carbine
For your consideration is a Civil War Model 1860 Spencer Repeating Saddle Ring Carbine with DOUBLE HISTORY! One of the most important and iconic cavalry weapons of the Civil War, the Spencer holds the position of being the first successful repeating long gun to be issued by the United States Government. To quote from the classic book; Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms, “One of the most colorful, widely used and popular Civil War firearms, the Spencer received the unique advantage and distinction, after a trial firing demonstration, of gaining the personal endorsement of President Lincoln. Toward the end of the Civil War, the Spencer established itself firmly as the main arm for cavalry use and was widely issued during the Indian Wars era also. It was a dazed, somewhat incredulous Confederate soldier, after capture by Custer’s 5th Michigan Cavalry at Gettysburg (only outfit armed with the Spencer that day) who is credited with the oft-repeated remark that ‘Spencers load in the morning and fire all day.’” The most desirable of the Spencer models is the true early Civil War Model of 1860. It is easily recognizable from the later, Post-Civil War, Indian Wars Model of 1865 by the fact that it has a 22” barrel where the later 1865 model has a 20” barrel. The Civil War Model 1860 also has six groove rifling, is chambered for the .56-56 Spencer Rim Fire cartridge which is actually .52 caliber and has a single sling swivel inlet in the butt stock. Approximately 50,000 Civil War carbines were made from 1863-1865 and are found in the serial number range of approximately 11,000 to 61,000. After the Civil War about 11,000 of these first series carbines had alterations done to change the caliber to .50 by sleeving the barrel and adding a magazine cut-off devise which allowed the carbine to fire single shot, keeping the rounds in the magazine in reserve. This example is one of these rare alterations. This carbine is number 48408. It was issued and used in the Civil War and then, after alterations by Springfield, was re-issued to the cavalry for Indian Wars usage. All early Civil War Spencers were in high demand by the Union Cavalry and all were issued to troops where they saw very hard use. This original example still retains the original sights and correct 22” barrel, saddle ring and correct single sling swivel in the butt stock. The top of the receiver retains original Spencer markings. All metal surfaces show a very deep and aged patina. These unique arms were loaded through a tube in the butt plate with seven rim fire cartridges held in place and pushed to the receiver by a spring-loaded plunger/magazine tube that fit into the butt stock. This carbine still retains its original spring-loaded magazine tube. The stock and forearm show handling but are sound and unaltered with the left side of the butt stock showing a clear and sharp inspector’s cartouche in a small rectangle. While this Civil War/Indian War re-issue carbine shows significant battlefield use, it displays no restoration. All mechanical function remains in good working order with strong springs and a tight action. The original ladder rear sight with slide is intact- these usually missing or replaced. Many Spencer’s were later sold as surplus where they in turn made their way back to the Western Frontier. One of the scarcest and most desirable of the entire Spencer line of rifles and carbines, the true Civil War Model of 1860 with scarce alterations for issue during the Indian Wars is extremely difficult to obtain in today’s collector market. It is known that Custer’s 7th Cavalry was armed with Spencer’s in their Indian campaigns of the late 1860s. Many of his troopers were not pleased to be forced to trade in their Spencer’s for single shot Springfield Trapdoor carbines. One cannot help but wonder if the outcome of the Little Bighorn battle might have been different if Custer’s men had retained their repeating Spencer’s! This firearm qualifies as an Antique, and does not require FFL Transfer or NICS Background Check.