MODEL 1860 CARBINES Description
.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 walnut stock and forearm with a single sling swivel on the bottom of the butt and a smooth buttplate with the removable tube magazine. Marked "SPENCER REPEATING/ RIFLE CO. BOSTON MASS/ PAT'D MARCH 6. 1860" on top of receiver.
Beginning in October 1863, the Spencer factory began delivering the first of 45,733 Spencer M1860 carbines to the Ordnance Department for use by Federal cavalrymen. As many as 3,000 additional M1860 carbines went to private purchasers, and also saw action in the war. Because Spencer carbines were so important to the Federal war effort, nearly all saw hard use during the last 18 months of fighting. This resulted in very few weapons available today in excellent condition, and fewer yet with case colors remaining on the receiver.