Relatively few sporting rifles were made by the Spencer Repeating Rifle Company. Compared to the over 144,000 produced during the war (107,372 purchased by the U.S. government), educated estimates place the sporting arms total production from 1864-1868 at around 1,807. The action first went into production in 1860 and as soon as the Civil War started, all of the machinery and man power were devoted to turning out rifles and carbines for the Union forces. This example appears to have been produced during Civil War based on the location of the relatively early serial number. The number is not off-set to the left of the peep sight base as was common practice on the 1865-1868 rifles. When the holes were drilled, the first number was obliterated and then restamped above the hole. The matching serial number is also stamped on the bottom of the barrel under the forearm. The rifle is chambered for the 56-46 Spencer cartridge (44 rimfire). The receiver is marked "SPENCER REPEATING/RIFLE CO. BOSTON MASS./PAT'D MARCH 6, 1860." The assembly number "7" is stamped on various parts, including the lever, forearm, breechblock, and buttplate. It is equipped with a globe front sight and a folding leaf rear sight graduated to 800 yards. The tang sight is marked "21" at the bottom and does not have graduating marks. The rifle is also equipped with a single set trigger. The wood is a better quality than normally found on Spencers and is highly figured, uncheckered American walnut with pewter tipped sporting forearm secured by two screws and straight stock with standard steel buttplate.

Fine. The barrel retains 60% faded original blue, and the balance of the metal has a smooth mottled silver/gray patina. The highly figured buttstock is very fine. The forearm has a fine hand worn patina, overall minor handling marks, and minor dents and the buttstock retains most of its original varnish. The markings are clear throughout. The set trigger needs work; otherwise, it is mechanically excellent. This is an exceptionally nice Civil War production Spencer sporting rifle.