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stock. The “U.S./COL. TER” branded into the left of the buttstock indicates this carbine is one of just 500 Spencer Carbines transferred by the U.S. Ordnance Department to the Colorado Territory on October 16th, 1868. See page 129 of “Spencer Repeating Firearms” by Roy Marcot for a similar example. Most of the Model 1865 Spencer carbines were manufactured in 1865 and 1866 after the end of the Civil War. Many were used during Reconstruction and in the Indian Wars before the Springfield Trapdoors were widely issued, with many seeing continued use by Native American groups and Western
settlers into the late 19th century. Features blade front and folding ladder rear sights and the Stabler
cutoff. Matching serial number “22503” marked underneath the barrel and on top of the frame. Small
single letter inspection initials marked on various components, two boxed script inspection cartouches stamped
on the left of the stock, “C.S.L.” inspection initials stamped on bottom of the forend and ahead of the buttplate, and
additional “C.W.B” initials stamped on the left of the action and both sides of the stock.
CONDITION: Very good, full of charming Western character, retains 30% original blue finish on the barrel with smooth
brown patina and scattered freckling on the balance, and an attractive mix of smooth cloudy gray, silver and brown patina on the casehardened frame with a few patches of light pitting. Wood is also very good with numerous scattered scratches and dents, and a defined Colorado Territory branding. Arsenal replacement hammer screw and absent saddle bar and ring. Mechanically excellent.
LOT 1208
Indian Wars Era Spencer-Burnside Contract Model 1865 Repeating Saddle Ring Carbine with Highly Desirable Colorado Territory Marking - Serial no. 22503, 50 Spencer cal., 20 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 1209
Exceptional U.S. Springfield Infantry Rifle Conversion of a
Burnside Model 1865 Spencer Repeating Saddle Ring Carbine -
Serial no. 24919, 56-50 cal., 32 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. In 1871, Springfield Armory converted approximately 1,108 Burnside-Spencer carbines by fitting the actions with rifle length barrels chambered for .50 rimfire ammunition with
three-groove rifling and adding the Stabler
cut-off device. The armory also refurbished the parts and added a nearly full length forearm with two barrel bands and a slotted cleaning rod.
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. The left side of the stock,
just behind the saddle ring base, is marked with an oval script “ESA” (partially struck) inspection cartouche of Springfield Master Armorer Erskine S. Allin, and the other components have the standard Burnside and
armory markings. Matching serial number “24919” marked on the left breech end of the arsenal replacement barrel and top rear of the frame. It has a blade front sight doubling as a bayonet lug and notch and folding ladder rear sights.
CONDITION: Very fine as arsenal refurbished, retaining 75% plus bright arsenal blue finish on the barrel with some areas of light surface corrosion, a few light scratches, and scattered light freckling. 80% vivid refurbished case colors remain with a few areas of smooth brown patina. Wood is also very fine with defined edges, scattered scratches and dents, and a few mild cracks on either side of the butt. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,750 - 5,500
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