Only an estimated 1,800 of these Spencer sporting rifles were produced between 1864 and 1868. This Spencer is pictured on page 117 of Roy Marcot's Spencer Repeating Firearms and identified as a standard Spencer sporter. It has the standard blade and folding ladder sights on a round 26 inch barrel and the standard sporter receiver peep sight. Given the production statistics quoted on page 111 of the above book, this rifle was likely produced in 1865. It is chambered for the .56-46 (.44 caliber) bottle-neck Spencer cartridge that was standard for the post-war sporters. The serial number is marked on the bottom of the barrel and on the top of the receiver slightly offset to the left. The bottom of the barrel also has a "5" (sub-assembly mark) and "164" (assembly number) towards the breech. "164" is also on the end of the forearm, on the various action components, and the underside of the buttplate. The top of the action has the three line Spencer address and patent marking. It has a smooth forearm with pewter end cap, and a straight wrist stock with standard buttplate.

Extremely fine. The rifle retains 90% of the slightly thinned blue finish and 60% of the original case colors. Several of the screws have bright niter blue finish. The balance has a gray patina. There are some minor marks and slight pitting. The wood is very good with a slight crack in the forearm on the left, scattered dings throughout, and some overall light scratches. The action is excellent. The first line of markings on the receiver are faint (likely lightly struck), but the remainder are crisp. Overall an exceptional and scarce early example of the Spencer sporting rifle.