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LOT 3070
Extraordinary Martially Inspected Spencer Model 1865 Repeating Rifle with Bayonet, Original Spencer Rifle
Manual, Documentation, and Accessories - Serial no. 667, 50 Spencer cal., 30 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish,
walnut stock. This is quite possibly the finest known example of a Spencer U.S. Model 1865 repeating rifle. Spencers were easily among the
most advanced weapons of the Civil War and remained in use during the late-19th century Indian Wars in the hands of both the U.S. Army and various Native Americans. Only approximately 1,000 Model 1865 rifles were manufactured by the Spencer Repeating Arms Company, with no known recorded U.S. Government purchases. Interestingly, this example has Ordnance inspection initials “EAW” marked on the left breech end of the barrel, and single letter inspection initials on various parts. An included 1984 dated letter addressed to Fred B. Schultz from Roy Marcot, respected author on Spencer rifles, states, “As to your ‘minty’ M1865 Spencer Army rifle... I have encountered a few that were marked as yours. The only answer I can have (as to the inspectors cartouches &
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stampings) is that various parts were forged, fitted and made up and then marked, before they were assembled into a full firearm. Therefore, since we know that no M1865 rifles were purchased by the Federal Ordnance Department, it is quite likely that the Federal Inspectors stationed in the Boston Spencer Armory were inspecting all parts, not knowing what they were eventually to be used for. I, too, believe that your rifle is a true Boston Spencer... Serial #667 would put its production at April or May, 1865. Assembly numbers (#7) are fine, as the Armory began using them in 1865 on all factory firearms... The rear sight (the earlier M1860 type) is correct, as this was a transition time between the M1860 arms and the newer M1865 arms.” An included 1962 dated letter of provenance addressed to Fred B. Schultz states this rifle was purchased by Jerry (last name unknown) of Albany, New York in 1955 from H. K. White of New York City, and further states, “...as with all of Whites guns this had been part of the White inventory since 1867 when the firm was founded. White never traded and had bought their last lot of surplus from the U.S. prior to the 1st World War... The gun
in question was a sales room sample and was the last Spencer in Whites possession.” The rifle has
a blade/bayonet lug front and folding ladder/notch rear sights. Serial number “667” marked on the top rear of the frame, and no disassembly was attempted to check the serial number of the barrel out of respect for nearly untouched condition of the rifle. Includes an original Spencer rifle manual, socket bayonet, Spencer screwdriver tool, two period Sharps pull through brushes (one is missing the brush piece), wooden cleaning rod with brush, a 50 Spencer cartridge, and a 50 Spencer blank cartridge. A brass collection tag marked “FBS23” is hanging from the rear sling swivel.