MODEL 1865 CARBINES Description
.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, 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 "MODEL/1865" and "SPENCER REPEATING RIFLE/PAT'D MARCH 6. 1860/MANUF D AT PROV. R.I./BY BURNSIDE RIFLE Co." or "SPENCER REPEATING/ RIFLE CO. BOSTON MASS/ PAT'D MARCH 6. 1860" on top of receiver.
In 1865 and 1866, the Spencer factory delivered 18,959 Spencer M1865 carbines to the Federal Ordnance Department. Concurrently, the Burnside Rifle Company of Providence, Rhode Island manufactured and delivered 30,502 Spencer M1865 carbines to the Ordnance Department.