SPENCER REPEATING RIFLES CO.

The brainchild of young Christopher Miner Spencer, more than 13,500 Spencer M1860 Army rifles, 800 M1860 Navy rifles, and 48,000 M1860 Army carbines saw action during the Civil War.
In late 1864, the Chief of Ordnance directed modifications, including reducing the bore from .52 to .50 caliber, and shortening the barrel from 22 inches to 20 inches. The new carbine was designated the Spencer M1865 carbine. Nearly 19,000 were produced by the Spencer Repeating Rifle Company and another 30,500 by the Burnside Rifle Company, although all were delivered too late to see action in the Civil War. Model 1865 carbines and refurbished M1860 carbines became the mainstay of America's troops on the Western Frontier until replaced by "Trap-Door" Springfield carbines after 1873.
The author wishes to express thanks to Roy Marcot, author of Spencer Repeating Rifles, for providing most of the information listed here.
Manufacturer located in Boston, MA between 1860-1868. Spencer manufactured approximately 144,000 rimfire rifles and carbines, of which approximately 107,000 were contracted to the United States Government during the Civil War.
SPENCER REPEATING RIFLES CO. logo

SPENCER REPEATING RIFLES CO. Antiques Models

MODEL 1860 NAVY RIFLES Image

MODEL 1860 NAVY RIFLES

.52 Spencer rimfire cal., top of receiver marked "SPENCER REPEATING/RIFLE CO. BOSTON MASS/PAT'D MARCH 6, 1860", 7 shot, 30 in. round barrel, brass blade front sight which doubles as bayonet lug and folding ladder rear sight gradua...

MODEL 1860 ARMY RIFLES Image

MODEL 1860 ARMY RIFLES

.52 rimfire cal., 7 shot, 30 in. round barrel, blade type front sight doubled as the lug for a socket type bayonet and folding ladder rear sight graduated to 800 yards, blue and color case hardened frame marked "SPENCER REPEATING/RIFLE...

MODEL 1860 CARBINES Image

MODEL 1860 CARBINES

.52 Spencer cal., saddle ring and bar are attached to the left side of the receiver and buttstock, 20 in. round barrel, blade front and folding ladder rear sights, blue barrel and case colors on the receiver finish, smooth, straight grip wa...

MODEL 1865 CARBINES Image

MODEL 1865 CARBINES

.52 Spencer cal., lever action carbine, saddle ring and bar are attached to the left side of the receiver and buttstock, 20 in. round barrel, blade front and folding ladder rear sights, blue barrel and case colors on the receiver finish, sm...

MODEL 1865 ARMY RIFLES Image

MODEL 1865 ARMY RIFLES

as many as 3,000 Spencer M1865 Army rifles were made by the Spencer factory in 1865. While none were ordered by the U.S. Army Ordnance Department, 2,000 went to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts National Guard, and another 1,000 went to Can...

MODEL 1867 ARMY RIFLES AND CARBINES Image

MODEL 1867 ARMY RIFLES AND CARBINES

.50 Spencer cal., Spencer's patent cut-off on the top of the receiver and roll-stamped "SPENCER REPEATING/RIFLE CO.BOSTON MASS./PAT'D MARCH 6, 1860", 7 shot, 20 in. round barrel, block front sight and folding leaf rear sight with ...

NEW MODEL ARMY RIFLES AND CARBINES Image

NEW MODEL ARMY RIFLES AND CARBINES

.50 cal. Spencer, rimfire, 7 shot, 30 in. round barrel, block front sight and folding leaf rear sight with 1,000 yard center notch, military blue finish barrel, marked "NM" at breech end, case hardened barrel band, receiver, sidep...

SPORTING RIFLES Image

SPORTING RIFLES

.50 rimfire cal., .56-46 bottleneck cartridge, most Spencer sporting rifles had 26 in. long round barrels, but more desirable versions with octagon barrels command a substantial premium. Marked "SPENCER REPEATING/RIFLE CO. BOSTON MASS....

Round Barrel Sporting Rifle Image

Round Barrel Sporting Rifle

.46 rimfire cal., lever action rifle, blade front sight, folding leaf rear sight and tang mounted peep sight, 26 in. round barrel, blue barrel and case colored receiver, marked "SPENCER REPEATING/RIFLE CO. BOSTON MASS./PAT'D MARCH 6, 1...