The Model 1860 Spencer repeating carbine reached the field in October 1863, the first deliveries actually going the 7^th 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.

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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