This is a highly desirable example of an early production Spencer Model 1860 Army rifle that was manufactured by the Spencer Repeating Rifle Company of Boston, Massachusetts, and is part of the first batch reportedly delivered to the Michigan Cavalry first under command of General Joseph T. Copeland and subsequently led by General George Armstrong Custer, also known as the "Wolverines." The left of the buttstock has large period carved initials "OHA" which are attributed by the consignor to Corporal Oscar H. Adams of Company A of the 7th Michigan Cavalry Regiment, who was killed in action during the Civil War. Reportedly, 11,470 of these innovative rifles were delivered to the U.S government between the end of 1862 to 1864. This rifle is bearing serial number 1259, with serial numbers of Spencer 1860s commencing at 1000, and would have been included in the very first batch of 500, reportedly delivered to the Ordnance Department on December 31, 1862 (reference page 50 of the book "Spencer Repeating Firearms" by Roy Marcot). The Michigan Cavalry reportedly received these first 500 rifles from the Ordnance Department on January 5, 1863, with an additional 500 in mid to late January 1863, and another 200 on February 10, 1863. Oscar H. Adams originally enlisted September 8, 1862 in Battle Creek, Michigan at 18 years old, mustered October 13, 1862, was paroled after capture on May 15, 1863, engaged in Custer's famous charge during the Battle of Gettysburg where they helped repulse General J.E.B. Stuart's Confederate cavalry on July 3, 1863, and was killed in action on June 12, 1864 at the Battle of Trevilian Station in Louisa County, Virginia. The rifle features a 30-inch round barrel, seven-shot magazine tube with brass follower in the stock, a blade front sight that doubles as a bayonet lug, an 800 yard folding ladder rear sight, six-groove rifling chambered for use with 56-52 "52 Spencer" rimfire, three barrel bands, the three-line Spencer address and patent marking on top of the breech, and smooth buttstock. The matching serial number "1259" is roll-stamped on the top of the receiver behind the ejector cut-out and on the bottom of the barrel. The lot is accompanied by a binder containing extensive consignor supplied related research.

Very good as Civil War used, with characteristic dark brown patina, scattered minor oxidation/pitting and wear. The wood is good with numerous scattered scratches, dents, battle scars and a few cracks, with defined period initials. Mechanically fine. Surviving examples of these early production Spencer 1860 Army rifles are scarce, as nearly all of these saw extremely hard use during the war with the Michigan Cavalry and likely saw use out West afterwards, with this example attributed to Civil War Corporal Oscar H. Adams of the 7th Michigan Cavalry, who was involved in the Battle of Gettysburg, and killed in action at the Battle of Trevilian Station possibly holding this very rifle.