Spencer repeating rifles and carbines were by many accounts the best firearms of the Civil War and were highly regarded by the troops that received them. After the war, the U.S. Army was drastically reduced from well over a million men down to just 11,000-27,500 depending on the year. The government also had large stockpiles of various arms which required numerous types of ammunition. Naturally, the more troublesome arms were sold as surplus. The significant advantages of the Spencer and its popularity among troops and officers undoubtedly led to many being retained. In the immediate post-war years, Spencers remained widely used by the cavalry while many infantrymen were stuck with obsolete muzzle loaders. As the War Department tried to standardize the Army's weaponry, it made sense that the Spencers, especially those manufactured too late to see combat, were considered for conversion alongside the massive stockpiles of Model 1861 and 1863 rifle-muskets. 1,108 Spencers were chosen by the Springfield Armory for alteration to infantry rifles in 1871. The conversions consisted of replacing the short carbine barrels with 32 1/2 inch round barrels numbered to the guns with three groove rifling, .50 caliber bores, and blade, notch, and folding ladder sights. The short carbine forearms were replaced by musket length forends secured by two barrel bands with a nose caps and a slotted ramrods. Stabler cutoffs were added to allow use a single shot breech loader while retaining the ability to use the ammunition reserve in the magazines if needed. The stocks retained the saddle rings and corresponding bars and had "ESA" oval cartouches. This example has all of these correct features and is in very good condition for a weapon likely used in the punishing post-Civil War Indian Wars on the Great Plains.

Very fine as arsenal refurbished. 70% of the Springfield arsenal blue finish and 50% case colors remain. The blue on the barrel has faded to a lighter tone but remains even. The balance of the casehardened components have gray and brown patina. There are some spots of oxidation and scattered minor marks and scratches throughout. The wood is fine and has some small dents and minor scrapes common from handling and storage. There are some spots of darker oil staining. The markings remain mostly crisp throughout, including Erskine Allen's cartouche. It appears mechanically excellent.