11,471 of these innovative rifles were purchased by the Ordnance Department in 1863 and 1864, primarily within the 700-11000 serial number range as well as the 22,000 to 24,000 range. Rifles of this model were with Colonel Wilder's "Lightning Brigade" at Hoover's Gap where they successfully drove the Confederates back and then held the gap despite being massively outnumbered. Wilder wrote, “No line of men who within 50 yards of another force armed with Spencers can either get away alive or reach them with a charge as in either case they are certain to be destroyed by the terrible fire poured from the ranks by cool men thus armed.” Colonel James Connolly of the 123rd Illinois stated of the battle: "Presently the enemy got near enough to us to make a charge on our battery, and on they came; our men are on their feet in an instant and a terrible fire from the Spencers causes the advancing regiment to reel and its colors fall to the ground, but in an instant their colors are up again and on they come, thinking to reach the battery before our guns can be reloaded, but they “reckoned without their host,” they didn’t know we had the Spencers, and their charging yell was answered by another terrible volley, and another and another without cessation, until the poor regiment was literally cut to pieces, and but few men of that 20th Tennessee that attempted the charge will ever charge again." The Spencer was capable of 14-20 aimed shots in experienced hands versus just 3-6 shots per minute fired by troops armed with muzzle-loading rifle-muskets. This model was also famously used General Custer's Michigan "Wolverines" at Gettysburg where again the Spencer allowed the outnumbered Union troopers to hold off multiple attacks. When their enlistments ended, many cavalrymen and soldiers elected to purchase their trusty Spencers for a tiny fraction of the cost the government had paid. Though the company failed shortly after the Civil War, Spencers remained in use through the late 19th century and into the 20th century. Given their use during the Civil War and beyond, examples in high condition are hard to come by, especially the rifles which are already significantly rarer than the carbines. This rifles is certainly one of the finest examples extant. It has a brass blade front sight that doubles as a bayonet lug, six-groove rifling, three barrel bands, an 800 yard folding ladder rear sight, the three-line Spencer address and patent marking on the top at the breech, and smooth buttstock with the standard 7-round tubular magazine inserted through the buttplate. Left side of the barrel at the breech marked with inspector initials "M". Left side behind the stock screw is marked with circled script inspector cartouche "MMJ" (Martin M. Johnson) and "DAP" (Dwight A. Perkins). Ahead of the buttplate marked with small inspector initials "D.A.P.", and "GDM" (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes leather sling, socket bayonet, and leather scabbard marked on the frog "R. NECE/PHILAD." and "A.D. LAIDLEY/U.S./ORD.DEPT/SUB INSPECTOR". Provenance: The George Moller Collection; Property of a Gentleman

Exceptionally fine, retaining 70% original blue finish on the barrel with some light thinning and muzzle wear, 75% plus vivid original case colors on the frame and fittings, and some scattered light freckling overall. Wood is very fine plus with some light scratches and dents, and crisp cartouches. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet and leather scabbard are both very fine. An exceptional example of one of the most innovative firearms of the Civil War!