This is an exceptional example of a Spencer Repeating Sporting Rifle. Very few sporting rifles were manufactured by Spencer and educated estimates put total production well under a few thousand. The action first went into production in 1860 and as soon as the Civil War started all of the machinery and man power was devoted to turning out rifles and carbines for the Civil War. Sporting rifles manufactured during the Civil War were for presentation, the most famous was presented to Gideon Welles. The matching serial number is marked on the rear upper left side of the frame and on the bottom of the barrel under the forearm. "PT" is also stamped on the bottom of the barrel under the forearm. Marked "SPENCER REPEATING/RIFLE CO. BOSTON MASS./PAT'D MARCH 6, 1860." on top of the receiver. The assembly number "109" is stamped on various parts including the lever, barrel, forearm and breechblock. Blade front sight, folding leaf rear sight and tang mounted peep sight absent of graduation markings. Mounted with a smooth walnut forearm with pewter forend secured by two screws and straight grip stock with Spencer's steel buttplate.

Excellent. The barrel retains 90% original blue finish with some thinning to a smooth plum patina. The receiver retains 85% plus vivid original case colors with some scattered surface blemishes. The wood is also very fine with almost all of the original varnish remaining and showing some minor dents and scratches. The markings are crisp. The action is excellent. It is a truly outstanding Spencer Sporting rifle!