VERY RARE CONFEDERATE “CLEANED & REPAIRED” MODEL 1860 SPENCER CARBINE

$4,995.00 SOLD

Quantity Available: None

Item Code: 2023-190

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 and the brass “blade” front sight. Receiver, hammer and lockplate of matching color. Bore is clean and bright with six-groove rifling. On the top flat of the receiver the Spencer patent stampings are visible. Serial #34991 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 remains near the shoulder stock toe. Original magazine tube and spring. Mechanics are crisp and strong.

Wood is original with only minor dings and is overall very good. No northern inspector cartouches visible.

This is a nice example of one of these guns that was captured or collected by CS Ordnance teams or civilians and placed into the Confederate cleaning and repair (“C&R”) system for reissue to Confederate troops. Some 200,000 firearms, along with perhaps another 50,000 turned in by CS units, mostly in the eastern theatre, are estimated to have gone through the process at Danville, Staunton, Lynchburg, and Richmond. This rifle bears a CS final inspector’s stamp, “Z,” just forward of the triggerguard tang. The “Z” is believed to stand for Louis Zimmer who oversaw repair work at Richmond In any case, the number and variety of guns bearing the mark point to someone working at the Richmond Arsenal/Artillery Workshop.

Steve Knott’s new “Captured & Collected” book details the whole process.

A very rare captured weapon is very good condition.  [jet] [ph:L]

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire.

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