The "U.S./COL. TER" branded into the left of the buttstock indicates this carbine is one of just 500 Spencer Model 1865 repeating carbines transferred by the U.S. Ordnance Department to the Colorado Territory on October 16th, 1868. Only a month earlier, rapid firing Spencer repeating rifles were successfully used by the approximately 50 outnumbered scouts under the command of Army Major George A. Forsyth in the Battle of Beecher Island in Yuma County, Colorado, to thwart off Indian attackers. Colorado Territory marked Spencer carbines such as this example would have likely been used in the Battle of Summit Springs on July 11th, 1869. See page 129 of "Spencer Repeating Firearms" by Roy Marcot for a similar example. Most of the Model 1865 Spencer carbines were manufactured in 1865 and 1866 after the end of the Civil War. Many were used during Reconstruction and in the Indian Wars before the Springfield Trapdoors were widely issued, with many seeing continued use by Native American groups and western settlers into the late 19th century. Features blade front and folding ladder rear sights and the Stabler cutoff. Matching serial number "20151" marked underneath the barrel and on top of the frame. Small single letter inspection initials marked on various components, two boxed script inspection cartouches stamped on the left of the stock (one has a scuff obscuring it), "C.S.L" inspection initials stamped on bottom of the forend with "H.E.V" ahead of the buttplate, and "J.L.C" on the left breech of the barrel.

Very good as Colorado territory issued and full of frontier character, retains 30% original blue finish on the barrel with smooth brown patina and scattered freckling on the balance, and an attractive mix of smooth cloudy brown and gray patina on the exposed casehardened surfaces with vivid original case colors showing on the protected areas of the breech block and a few patches of light pitting. Wood is also very good with numerous scattered period scratches and dents, a few cracks on either side around the toe, and a defined Colorado Territory branding. Mechanically excellent. Colorado Territory issued firearms from the Indian Wars era are considered highly desirable today in any form, and this attractive Colorado Territory marked Spencer-Burnside Model 1865 carbine would make a fine addition to any U.S. Military or western firearms collection!