This carbine was produced by the Spencer Rifle Company of Boston, Massachusetts and is in good original condition. The carbine, which fired the .52 caliber, “No. 56” Spencer rimfire cartridge, has a 22” long barrel and a two-piece black walnut stock. What makes it so rare and unusual is that is was acquired by the Confederates, repaired, inspected and reissued. No doubt a very prized weapon for the lucky southern trooper who received it despite the scarcity of Spencer ammunition in the Confederacy. These could only be re-issued if a quantity of ammunition was also captured. The Confederacy had no capability to manufacture Spencer cartridges.

Barrel wears a nice dark brown color. It has the large folding rear sight (the slide is missing) and the brass “blade” front sight. Receiver, hammer and lockplate of matching color. The head of the hammer screw has broken off. Bore has good six-groove rifling but is dirty. On the top flat of the receiver the Spencer patent stampings are mostly worn off (very faintly visible) and a 1 ½” line stamped in that place. This is probably evidence of some of the work done at Richmond. Serial #39711 is located at the top rear of the receiver near the hammer. Original sling bar and ring are secured to the left side of stock. The single swivel near the stock toe is broken off. Original magazine tube and spring. Mechanics are crisp and strong.

Wood is original with moderate dings typical of hard use and age. Stock is otherwise solid in every way. No northern inspector cartouches visible.  A “Z” inspection stamp is found on the underside of the stock behind the trigger tang.  This mark signifies that this weapon was recovered and turned in to the Confederate Ordnance Bureau for at least cleaning, and/or for some type of repair. The “Z” is believed to stand for Louis Zimmer who oversaw repair work at Richmond. Steve Knott’s new “Captured & Collected” book details the whole process.

A very rare captured weapon.  [jet]

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