This longarm is a Model 1865 Spencer Army Repeating rifle that was altered post-war at the National Armory at Springfield, Mass. As Civil War era Spencer repeating arms became unserviceable after the war, both carbines and rifles were returned to the Springfield Armory for ‘refurbishing’ or ‘alteration’. The weapons bored out and the old .52 caliber barrel received an inserted, reinforced rifle sleeve in the new .50 caliber (.56-50). These ‘reinforced’ Spencer shortarms and long arms produced higher velocity and greater accuracy for the troops. Ordnance Dept. records indicate that some 12,000 Spencer Army rifles were altered at the Springfield facility between 1866 and 1874 and bore the characteristics as found in this very good condition Spencer rifle specimen with serial #15036.

The rifle, which exhibits no remnants of old case hardening has the armory ‘Stabler’ cutoff device forward of the trigger. Top plate of the receiver frame exhibits just traces of the original makers address due to moderate rust pitting on the entire receiver frame. Rifle weighs a little over 9 pounds with a barrel that measures 31” long and exhibits a dark, heavily pitted bore with its three-groove rifling. Retains both iron swivels, one at the toe and other at the upper barrel band.

Original black walnut stock, as well as the newer forearm, has been armory refinished. Stock carries not one or two thin cartouches, but three light government cartouches on the left side back of the sling bar tang. Stock bears just a few dings and scuffs as normal with use and age. One characteristic of an altered Spencer shows the hammer and frame to have lightly rounded edges to facilitate insertion of the single cartridge when the cut-off device used. Rifle retains the heavy Spencer sling bar and sling ring. Barrel retains the original folding rear sight and the blade front sight but has no bayonet lug at the muzzle. Steel ramrod has the slotted knurled tip.

A good looking Springfield Armory-altered Spencer Repeating Rifle fitted with the Stabler cutoff device.

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