Guns International #: 101276762
Seller's Inventory #: CBP19-188

Category - Spencer Rifles - Civil War Carbines

Category
Spencer Rifles
Civil War Carbines

American Indian Wars Burnside Rifle Co. Spencer Model 1865 Carbine in .56-50 Spencer ** Honest All-Original Spencer Carbine ** SOLD

Description:
In late-1864 the Spencer Repeating Rifle Company made some changes to their breech-loading repeater 1860 Model which were significant enough to warrant a model designation change.  The new Spencer was called the Model 1865 and featured a shortened 20" inch barrel with 3-groove rifling, a new chambering to the .56-50 Spencer cartridge, and the incorporation of the Stabler magazine cut-off into factory production.  The new standard chambering of .56-50 would chamber in the 1860 Model Spencer, but the older .56-56 Spencer round that the Model 1860 was chambered in would not chamber in the new 1865 Model.  As of June of 1864 the Burnside Rifle Company entered into a contract to manufacture 30,500 Model 1860 Spencer Carbines to the U.S. Ordnance Dept., but because of the new changes to the design (Model 1865), deliveries did not start from Burnside until April of 1865.  Burnside manufactured a total of 30,496 Spencers between April of 1865 and October of 1865, with approximately 14,500 made with the Stabler cut-off and 16,000 without.  As mentioned earlier, these deliveries of the new Spencer 1865 Model manufactured by the Burnside Rifle Co. did not make it in time for service in the Civil War, but they did serve in a large capacity in the American Indian Wars.  These carbines gave the U.S. troops issued with them a huge firepower advantage over the American Indians, and were well-liked by the soldiers that carried them all over the American frontier.  The Model 1865 Spencer was in service for 8 critical years of U.S. expansion and consolidation until being replaced by the Springfield Model 1873 Trapdoor rifle/carbine.  The Spencer certainly earned it's place as one of the most important firearm designs of the Civil War and American West.  This particular example is one of the earlier production carbines from Burnside without the Stabler magazine cut-off, serial number 5765.  It was likely made in the first couple months of production of Spencers at Burnside Rifle Co.  It is an all-original and attractive carbine that has not been modified or "improved" in any way.  The original factory finishes have turned a gray/brown patina that is typical of an issued and used military carbine that is over 150 years old. All of the metal parts have a consistent patina to them which tells us that they are all original parts.  On the right side of the receiver just ahead of the lever there are 2 deliberate notches in the metal.  While there is no way to know for certainty what their meaning is, it is possibly a tally of "kills" by the soldier that carried it.  Both the mechanics and bore of this carbine are in superb condition in this Spencer.  The bore is shiny and clean with nice sharp rifling still showing throughout the barrel, with no major pitting, bulges, dents, or visible erosion.  The action is precise and smooth, locking into battery perfectly with all of the controls on this carbine in perfect working order.  The tubular magazine in the buttstock is in excellent condition and free from any dents, damage, or defects.  The original stock set on this Spencer is in very good condition, with both the forearm and buttstock free from cracks, repairs, or major damage.  The buttstock still has a nice U.S. Military inspector's cartouche on the left side behind the sling bar.  Both the forearm and buttstock are a perfect match in color and degree of wear, and all of the stock hardware is intact and in good condition.  If you have been looking for a nice all-original but affordable example of this iconic carbine from American Civil War and Indian War history, this Burnside Model 1865 Spencer would be an excellent choice.      

SOLD

Antique: Yes
Manufacturer: Burnside Rifle Company (Spencer Repeating Rifle Company)
Model: Spencer Model 1865
Serial Number: 5765
Caliber Info: .56-50 Spencer
Bore: Very Good/Excellent (3-groove)
Barrels: 20" Inches
Manufacture Date: 1865