The Spencer repeating rifles and carbines were among the most popular Civil War arms and received praise from common soldiers along with Gen. Custer and even President Lincoln who shot a nice grouping with a Spencer rifle when inventor Christopher Spencer came to the White House for a demonstration. Though over 100,000 carbines and rifles were manufactured for the Union war effort counting the Burnside contract carbines, only approximately 1,700 sporting rifles were produced prior to the company's demise in mid-1868. The company was forced to close due to the dramatic fall in demand from the government, the availability of surplus arms, and its inability to adapt the rifles for new high powered cartridges favored by sportsmen. In fact, the sporting rifles use a smaller caliber cartridge based on the standard .56-50 Spencer cartridge necked down to .44 caliber. This example features a German silver blade front sight, a folding ladder rear sight, and has taps with screws on the receiver for a peep sight. The serial number on the receiver is off-set to the left to clear the peep sight base when it is installed. The barrel has no visible markings on the exposed areas but is marked under the forearm with the serial number "1123" and the assembly number "781." The rear of the forearm has "GWP/781." The matching assembly number is also marked on right side of the lever and breech components, the frame under the lock, the underside of the lock, underside of the buttplate, and on the butt of the stock.

Very fine. The barrel displays 60% original blue finish with the balance brown patina. The receiver and lock retain more than 70% of the vibrant, original case colors and have brown and gray patina on the balance. There is some light spotting throughout. The magazine even retains strong original finish on the screws. The wood is also very fine and has numerous minor scratches and dings as well as a few very small hairline cracks and some small chips at the edges. The action functions excellently, and the markings are distinct.