MODEL 1860 ARMY RIFLES Description
.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 CO. BOSTON MASS./PAT'D MARCH 6 1860", smooth straight grip military style stock with three barrel bands and forend tip, issued with a style of Pattern M1855 angular bayonets which fit only these rifles.
Between 1863 and 1864, the Spencer factory in Boston produced 11,471 Spencer M1860 Army rifles for the Federal Ordnance Department, another 200 for the U.S. Navy, and approximately 2,000 for private purchase. All were issued with a style of Pattern M1855 angular bayonets which fit only these rifles.