This original Civil War longarm is a Model 1860 Spencer repeating rifle. Identification through records indicate that this rifle, with serial #2490, was issued to Private Robert Meek in the 5^th Independent Company of Ohio Sharpshooters. Meek, an 18-year-old farmer from Sharon Center, Ohio, first enlisted in the 72^nd Ohio Infantry in Dec 1861 for three years but was discharged for disability in July 1862. In late October 1862, Meek enlisted in the 5^th Independent Company of Ohio Sharpshooters. The Company organized at Camp Cleveland, Ohio and mustered into US service on Dec 5, 1862. March of 1863 saw the Company assigned to Rosecrans’ Army of the Cumberland where Meek was with the company at Chickamauga.

In late November 1863, Private Meek got into serious trouble (theft) and was court-martialed for “conduct prejudicial to good military order and discipline.” In February 1864, Meek was sentenced to be ‘drummed out of camp with the word “THIEF” in large letters pinned his back. In March, he was sentenced to two years confinement at the military prison at Nashville, TN. But Meek escaped from the Nashville prison on June 10, 1864 and in August of that year, enlisted in Co D, 178^th Ohio Infantry as a Corporal. Meek served with the 178^th during the siege at Murfreesboro, NC and later at Morehead City, NC. The Ohio 5^th Company Sharpshooters were completely unaware of Meeks’ escape and carried him on their rolls as “confined” while he served in the Ohio infantry. He was discharged for disability from the 178^th at Charlotte, NC on June 29, 1865 and returned to Sharon. Meeks married twice, the second wife in February 1912, received a military pension, and died on June 22, 1918.

In very good original condition, this Spencer specimen bears serial #2490, weighs ten pounds and is a .52 caliber longarm that used the 56-56 Spencer rimfire cartridge. Produced in the 1863 to 1864 period, the rifle measures 47” overall with a 30” round barrel that features six-groove rifling. Barrel is mated to a black walnut two-piece stock and is fitted with a blade type front sight for the angular type socket bayonet. Bright bore is strong. Receiver frame exhibits light pitting and a smooth, mottled gray colored surface. Strong three-line top plate stamping thin with original maker address “SPENCER REPEATING / RIFLE CO. BOSTON, MASS / PAT’D MARCH 6, 1860”. Barrel retains the original folding rear sight with slide and is graduated to 800 yards. Has the front blade sight. Mechanics crisp. Full length black walnut stock appears to have been lightly finished at one time. Shows no visible government cartouches on stock. Wood surface has dings, dents, and normal scuffing from use and age. Has a light surface crack on both sides of forend beneath the rear sight. Retains both original iron swivels, one at the toe and at the middle barrel band. Rifle never had the sling bar and sling ring.

A great, original Ohio-sharpshooter Civil War Spencer Repeater army rifle. Comes with NARA military records.

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