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LOT 1123
Civil War Spencer Model 1860
Saddle Ring Carbine - Serial no. 55904,
52 RF cal., 22 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured from 1863-1865 with a total production of about 50,000, the
Spencer was one of the most widely used and popular Civil War firearms. Fixed blade front
sight and folding rear sight graduated to 800 yards. Combination trigger guard and lever operates the unique Spencer action, extracting the spent casing on the down stroke and chambering a fresh round from the tube magazine in the
buttstock on the upstroke. The top of the receiver is marked “SPENCER REPEATING/RIFLE CO. BOSTON, MASS./PAT’D MARCH 6, 1860”. There is a small “S” on the left rear of the barrel, “R” on the left rear of the receiver and “M” on the lever and breechblock
components. Mounted with a smooth walnut forearm and straight grip stock with a saddle ring and bar mounted on the left wrist, two boxed script cartouches, sling swivel and an iron buttplate. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock.
CONDITION: Very good plus, retaining 25% thinning original blue finish on the barrel, and 30% original case colors on the frame and lever with scattered mild spotting. 60% strong original case colors remain on the breech block. Wood is extremely fine with some light handling marks, and clear cartouches. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The George Moller Collection; The Ron Bucholtz Collection.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 1124
U.S. Civil War Spencer Model 1860
Army Repeating Rifle with Leather Sling - Serial
no. 22870, 52 cal., 30 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened
finish, walnut stock. Manufactured late 1863 to 1864. These Army rifles are best
98
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
known for being the model of Spencer repeating arm that were issued to Colonel John T. Wilder’s “Lightning Brigade” and Brigadier General George A. Custer’s Michigan “Wolverines” cavalry brigade.
Front sight doubles as lug for socket type bayonet, with a folding ladder rear sight calibrated to 800 yards. Chambered in .52 caliber rimfire with six groove rifling, and three barrel bands. Maintains the original trigger without
the Stabler cut-off. The top of the action is marked “SPENCER REPEATING (double stamped)/RIFLE CO. BOSTON MASS./ PAT’D MARCH 6 1860.”, and there are two faint cartouches on the left of the standard military style stock. Sling swivels are
mounted on the middle barrel band and butt. Includes period leather sling.
CONDITION: Very good plus, retaining 30% original blue finish on the barrel turned to a gray, and the frame turned a bright gray patina with some
scattered patches of light pitting. Stock is fine with crisp edges, minor dings and scratches throughout, and lightly visible cartouches. Mechanically excellent. A genuine attic fresh example of an original Civil War Spencer Model 1860 Army rifle that is well above the average examples usually found!