MINT BORE**RARE**U.S Army Early Post American Civil War Spencer Repeating Rifle Company USA 1860 Patent, Model 1865 .50 Rim Fire Obsolete Calibre Repeating Rifle With 7 Shot Tubular Magazine. Sn 23385 spencer Lever Action Obsolete Rifle

**MINT BORE**RARE**U.S Army Early Post American Civil War Spencer Repeating Rifle Company USA 1860 Patent, Model 1865 .50 Obsolete Calibre Repeating Rifle With 7 Shot Tubular Magazine. Sn 23385 - 23385

The Spencer Repeating Rifle was the world's first military metallic-cartridge repeating rifle, famously patented by Christopher Miner Spencer on March 6, 1860. While the Model 1860 became a legendary Union weapon during the American Civil War, the Model 1865 was a refined post-war version in .50 calibre. It is a manually operated lever-action, repeating rifle fed from a tube magazine. It was adopted by the Union Army during the American Civil War. The Spencer had an innovative tubular magazine fed into the butt via a trap with steel latch. This is a rare, original example of Spencer’s 1860 patent Model 1865 rifle in excellent condition. The metal work has original blue finish and its original wood stock has just light bumps and bruises to be expected. The shoulder stock has impressed U.S. Army acceptance / inspector marks cartouches (illustrated). The 28 ¼” barrel’s bore is near mint clean & bright with well defined rifling. The action tang has the early serial number ‘585’. The rifle measures 46 ½” overall length. It is fitted with a flip up rear sight and block with blade fore sight. It is also fitted with sling swivels, correct steel butt plate & tubular magazine with latch plate. The top of the breech is stamped ‘Spencer Repeating Rifle Co Boston Mass Pat’d March 6 1860’ & the top of the barrel ‘M 1865’. The metal has factory inspectors marks which can be seen in the images. The loading and firing actions work crisply. The price for this collectable, rare, historic rifle includes UK delivery. NB As an antique obsolete calibre weapon no licence is required to own this item in the UK if retained as a part of a collection or display. Sn 23385

£3,750.00