Only 1,800 Spencer sporting rifles are believed to have been manufactured in 1864 to 1868. Most were chambered for the .56-46 spencer cartridge. The cartridge was suitable for use on small to medium game. Many of these rifles undoubtedly saw hard use in the West for hunting and self defense. This example has "521" marked on top of the action. The "5" is partially cutoff by one of the sight mounting screws. The receiver ring has the standard address and patent marking. "22" is stamped on barrel, forearm, front of the frame, lock, breechblock components, and buttplate at the toe. The breech has the Spencer cuttoff device, and the forearm has the pewter cap. The barrel is equipped with non-factory blade and buckhorn sights. The rifle also has a period custom shaped lever, trimmed and filed hammer, and double set triggers. Note that the Lane extractor tooth is visible from the bottom of the action, and the receiver was never cut for a saddle ring bar indicating this is not a repurposed carbine action. The buttstock has a sling ring on the bottom and "HA" hand carved on the left.

Good as period modified. The metal displays dark brown patina with patches of minor pitting and oxidation. In addition to what is noted above, the hammer screw and likely some other small parts are replacements. The wood is fair. The forearm has multiple small chips at the edges, a 3 1/4 inch crack along the top edge on the right, and a large piece absent on the front left. The buttstock has chips at the comb, small cracks around the inlets, and is a little loose. Both have numerous scrapes and dents from use. This desirable Spencer sporting rifle certainly has the look of a rifle that saw some real action in the Old West.