491 - A Spencer Repeating Carbine, probably Contract Model 1865

A Spencer Repeating Carbine, probably Contract Model 1865 dating: 1860-70 provenance: USA, 20-inch, rifled, cylindrical barrel, provided with foresight and foldaway, adjustable rear sight, stamped "J.L.C." on the left side. 50 cal. at the nozzle (approximately 12.8 mm) with three-groove rifling (the bore is clean, with the rifling clearly visible). Curiously, the frame does not feature any manufacturer’s markings; only the "M" mark next to the base of the sling swivel (which has been removed) and "C" and "S" marks on some components are present. Apparently the mechanism is working. The trigger is provided with the “Stabler Cut-off”. Butt and fore-end are smooth, made of walnut wood, with no visible markings. Iron mounts. Tubular magazine complete with spring. Condition between fair and good. Some pitting, signs of use and time. Interestingly, this item has no manufacturer's markings or serial number. However, it does not appear that these have been removed during cleaning or worn away. Nevertheless, all the features suggest that this is a Burnside-manufactured item from 1865: a 50 cal. barrel with three-groove rifling and a Stabler cut-off. Some Spencer carbines are also documented as being marked with the manufacturing address of the Burnside company and featuring the initials "J.L.C." (Chauncey Thomas Collection, item ID: H.430.1). According to Flayderman (9th edition, pp. 632–634), the US government purchased 30,502 of the approximately 34,000 Spencer carbines produced by the Burnside Rifle Company to equip its troops. The fate of the remaining approximately 3,500 carbines, however, remains uncertain. They may have been destroyed, or more likely, were destined for the civilian market. In the absence of the usual markings on the frame, it is plausible that the presented item may belong to this group, the ultimate destination of which remains unknown to this day.