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LOT 1230
Exceptional Civil War U.S. Spencer Model 1860 Army Repeating Rifle - Serial
no. 9531, 52 Spencer cal., 30 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This is an exceptional
example of a Spencer Model 1860 Army rifle that was manufactured by the Spencer Repeating Rifle Company of Boston,
Massachusetts. Reportedly, 11,470 of these innovative rifles were delivered to the U.S government between the end of 1862-1864. The
Spencer rifles and carbines were the most successful repeating long arms manufactured during the Civil War. Rifles of this model typically saw
hard use, and were carried by Colonel Wilder’s “Lightning Brigade” at Hoover’s Gap and General Custer’s Michigan “Wolverines” at Gettysburg.
The rifle features a 30-inch round barrel, seven-shot magazine tube in the stock, a brass blade front sight that doubles as a bayonet lug, an 800
yard folding ladder rear sight, six-groove rifling chambered for use with 56-52 “52 Spencer” rimfire, three barrel bands, the three-line Spencer
address and patent marking on top of the breech, and smooth buttstock. The matching serial number “9531” is roll-stamped on the top of the
receiver behind the ejector cut-out and on the bottom of the barrel. “J.W.CLAPP” stamped on the rear surface of the walnut forend. Two boxed script “HHH” and “DAP” (Dwight A. Perkins) inspection cartouches stamped on the left of the buttstock behind the rear lock screw. The rifle barrel has a military blue finish and the forearm cap, barrel bands, receiver, hammer, trigger, lever and crescent buttplate are color casehardened.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 75% plus original blue finish with scattered light handling marks on the barrel showing smooth gray patina on the balance, 70% original case colors slightly muted on the exposed surfaces with a vivid appearance in the protected areas, and sharp markings and edges
in the metal overall. The wood is very fine with attractive original raised grains and rich oil finish, scattered dents and scratches, clear cartouches, and distinct edges. Mechanically excellent. This exceptional U.S. inspected Spencer Model 1860 Army repeating rifle has seen little use, and is in a high state of condition when compared with most of the limited surviving examples today, making it a highly desirable specimen for any Civil War arms collector! Estimate: 16,000 - 25,000
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