This Historic Spencer Carbine and Bugle were carried by William Goodwin during the Civil War. During the Civil War William Goodwin was a bugler in Company D, 89th Illinois Infantry. The carbine is an unaltered Civil War issue Model 1860 Spencer Carbine manufactured in 1864. The top of the receiver is marked "SPENCER REPEATING / RIFLE CO. BOSTON, MASS. / PAT'D. MARCH 6, 1860" and the matching serial number is marked on top of the receiver tang and bottom of the barrel under the forearm. Brass blade front and folding ladder rear sights and mounted with a smooth walnut forearm and straight grip stock with saddle ring and bar on the left wrist, steel carbine buttplate and sling swivel. There are no visible cartouches on the stock. The bugle is unmarked. Included with the carbine and bugle are discharge forms Company D, 89th Ill. Infantry dated June 10, 1865 (the discharge lists William Goodwin as a "Musician"), discharge for disability from Company E, General Service U.S.A. dated October 14, 1867. Pension Certificate dated March 3, 1913, two notifications of pension increases, 89th Illinois Regiment Annual Reunion announcement for the 36th Reunion on September 26, 1921, studio photograph of William Goodwin in a civilian suit, two notarized photographs of William Goodwin's hands dated 1906 (the photographs were apparently taken to support a pension application), copy of William Goodwin's Death Certificate dated July 16, 1927, letter from the United States Veterans Bureau dated March 6, 1928 notifying Estella Goddard of payment of $100 for William Goodwin's burial expenses, 1961 dated letter from Mr. Goodwin's grandson discussing his grandfather's Civil War service and a copy of a handwritten will dated January 11, 1927. The 89th Illinois Infantry mustered into service at Chicago, Illinois on August 27, 1862. The regiment fought in the battles of Perryville, Stone's River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, New Hope Church, Altoona, Kennesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, the Siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro, Franklin and Nashville before being mustered out of service on June 24, 1865. The 89th Illinois had 12 officers and 121 enlisted men killed in action and 1 officer and 172 enlisted men died of disease.

Very good plus. The metal surfaces have an even dark brown patina with some scattered surface oxidation. The breechblock retains almost all of the original vivid case colors. The markings are clear. The wood is very good overall with several deep chips on the left wrist just above the sling bar and overall scattered minor chips, dents and scratches. The carbine certainly shows the effects of use in the field, but has not been abused. The action is very good. The bugle is in fair; relic condition. The copper has a dark patina and there are numerous dents, and is broken just ahead of the mouthpiece. The discharges and studio photograph are in good overall condition; the writing on the documents and picture is faded but legible. This is a solid identified, original Civil War veteran's Spencer Carbine, bugle with service documents. Civil War Spencer Carbines with historic documentation are quite scarce and highly desirable.