This longarm started life as a Burnside-manufactured Model 1865 Spencer repeating carbine but was altered post-war (1871) at the National Armory at Springfield, Massachusetts. After the war, the armory had over 1000 unserviceable Spencer carbines in for repair. The armory C.O. subsequently queried Washington authorities if those carbines could not be altered to rifles.  Approval was granted and conversion work commenced the next month, and continued until July 1874 when alterations to those types of arms ceased. The process of alteration included changing out the old carbine barrel with a new blued 32½” long Springfield M1868 barrel which was chambered for a .50 caliber Springfield round (aka .56-50 Spencer round) with three-groove rifling. Added to the altered rifle was the ‘Stabler Cut-off’ system, a beveled hammer nose, complete new thicker forend stock, refinished butt stock, forends and two barrel bands. Serial number (#572) shows up on the barrel’s left facet, and also on the top of the receiver. Numbers are original Burnside carbine serial numbers restamped.

New to the Spencer rifle was a low post iron front sight, a M1868 military rear sight, cleaning rod, and angular socket bayonet.  Receiver retains the sling bar and ring from the carbine. Top plate of the receiver frame exhibits a worn and thin makers address of “MODEL / 1865 / SPENCER REPEATING RIFLE /  PAT’D MARCH 6, 1860 / MANUF’D AT PROV., R. I. / BY BURNSIDE RIFLE CO.” Stock exhibits the later government cartouche of “E S A” within an oval behind the sling bar.  Entire stock has been poorly re-varnished at one time and exhibits light sealant crazing on the butt stock.    Retains both iron swivels, one near the toe and other at the upper barrel band.  Lockplate tang is missing the lock screw. A seldom seen Springfield Armory rifle musket-conversion of a Burnside Spencer carbine.

This longarm started life as a Burnside-manufactured Model 1865 Spencer repeating carbine but was altered post-war (1871) at the National Armory at Springfield, Massachusetts. After the war, the armory had over 1000 unserviceable Spencer carbines in for repair. The armory C.O. subsequently queried Washington authorities if those carbines could not be altered to rifles.  Approval was granted and conversion work commenced the next month, and continued until July 1874 when alterations to those types of arms ceased. The process of alteration included changing out the old carbine barrel with a new blued 32½” long Springfield M1868 barrel which was chambered for a .50 caliber Springfield round (aka .56-50 Spencer round) with three-groove rifling. Added to the altered rifle was the ‘Stabler Cut-off’ system, a beveled hammer nose, complete new thicker forend stock, refinished butt stock, forends and two barrel bands. Serial number (#572) shows up on the barrel’s left facet, and also on the top of the receiver. Numbers are original Burnside carbine serial numbers restamped.

New to the Spencer rifle was a low post iron front sight, a M1868 military rear sight, cleaning rod, and angular socket bayonet.  Receiver retains the sling bar and ring from the carbine. Top plate of the receiver frame exhibits a worn and thin makers address of “MODEL / 1865 / SPENCER REPEATING RIFLE /  PAT’D MARCH 6, 1860 / MANUF’D AT PROV., R. I. / BY BURSIDE RIFLE CO.” Stock exhibits the later government cartouche of “E S A” within an oval behind the sling bar.  Entire stock has been poorly re-varnished at one time and exhibits light sealant crazing on the butt stock.    Retains both iron swivels, one near the toe and other at the upper barrel band.  Lockplate tang is missing the lock screw. A seldom seen Springfield Armory rifle musket-conversion of a Burnside Spencer carbine.

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