Approximately 11,471 of these innovative rifles were manufactured for the U.S. Army by the Spencer Repeating Rifle Company of Boston, Massachusetts, with a few hundred of this type also delivered to the U.S. Navy, with known deliveries to the U.S Ordnance Department between December 31, 1862 through 1863, according to related information on pages 48 and 50 of the book "Spencer Repeating Firearms" (1983) by Roy Marcot. This example features a period nickel plated finish, which would have been ideal for Navy use for protection from the elements such as the salt air, or in harsh western climates. It has a 30-inch round barrel, tin plated seven-shot magazine tube in the stock, a blade front sight that doubles as a socket 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 a tin plated inlaid brass dog on top of the stock wrist. The matching serial number "28829" is roll-stamped on the top of the receiver and on the bottom of the barrel. A remnant of a bordered script inspection cartouche is stamped on the left of the buttstock.