The Spencer .52 calibre repeating rifle was the designed by Christopher Spencer in 1860. It was a manually operated lever-action, repeating carbine size rifle (39" overall) fed from a tube magazine with cartridges. It was adopted by the Union Army, especially by the Cavalry, during the American Civil War. Production began in 1860 and ended in 1869. Our example is serial number 28220 which dates its manufacture to between 1863 & 1865 (Spencer Carbines that were manufactured between 1863-1865, had serial numbers falling between 11,001 and 62,000). The Spencer had an innovative 7 shot tubular magazine fed into the butt via a trap with steel latch. This is an excellent all original example. The metal work has even patina and its original wood stock has just light bumps and bruises to be expected and has a faint impressed U.S. Army acceptance / Inspector’s cartouche (illustrated). The barrel’s bore is clean with well defined rifling. It is fitted with a flip up rear sight and block & blade fore sight, steel saddle bar with ring and single sling swivel. It is also fitted with rear sling swivel, correct steel butt plate & with correct tubular magazine and latch plate. The top of the action is signed ‘Spencer Repeating Rifle Co Boston Mass Pat’d March 6 1860’ and the top of the action behind the hammer has the serial number 28220. The metal has small factory inspector’s marks. The loading and firing actions work crisply. The price for this piece of American Civil War history 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 23394
£4,250.00