The 1860 Spencer Rifle and Carbines were used by the U.S. military during the later part of the American Civil War with the carbines used by cavalry and the rifles issued to mounted infantry. The magazine fed lever action design could fire much more rapidly than the muzzleloading infantry rifles of the period. Originally issued in a .56-50 rimfire caliber this Chiappa of Italy reproduction is chambered for the centerfire .45 Colt (long) cartridge. The rifle is unfired. Weighing in at 10.3 pounds the rifle has a trigger reach of 13" and is well suited for today's reenactor or shooter.
Stocked in walnut finished to a satin sheen. The carbine buttplate accepts the loading tube, which delivers cartridges to the lever action. To load this rifle, rotate the loading tube cap in the buttplate, withdraw the tube, fill the buttstock with cartridges, and replace the spring loaded tube. When viewed from above the tapered comb can be seen beginning at the wrist and flaring out to the iron thumbnail comb extension of the buttplate. The buttstock and wrist are wide, to carry the hidden magazine tube. This rifle is unfired but the left hand side of the stock has one pressure dent along the mid-point.
The barrel is chambered in caliber .45 Colt. Just ahead of the action the top of the barrel is stamped .45 Colt and Chiappa Firearms - Italy ahead of the rear sight. A classic military ladder rear sight is fitted near the breech end of the barrel. A leaf spring under the military rear sight, locks it into the upright or lower position. The front sight blade is mounted in military style base. The front sight is taller than than many U.S. military longarms and the antique rifles were noted as required a specific bayonet with a taller bridge to clear the sight.
Our bottom view of the rifle shows off the rounded toe and the rear sling swivel. The rear sling swivel is a feature found on all Spencer guns, both carbines and rifles. This is the result of the fact that the same buttstock was used for both guns. The forward swivel is mounted to the middle barrel band. The band springs are mounted along the center of the forearm. Compress the spring and slide the band forward to dismount the forend.
The action and lock are color case hardened. Cartridges feed from the magazine tube inside the buttstock, into the lever action of this Model 1860 Spencer rifle. You have to manually cock the lock to fire each round. Historically Christopher Spencer recognized the military advantage of interchangeable parts, and he used Sharps carbine lock parts, inside his lock.
This Spencer rifle is unfired, the bore is bright. The rifle is chambered in .45 Colt, which is much easier to source than the .56-50 centerfire ammunition. This rifle qualifies for FFL transfer. it must be shipped to a FFL dealer in another state. Order it for a ten day visual inspection. You will be delighted. Else if it does not fit you, return it in unfired condition for same-day refund. Postage is your only risk, when you order any one-of-a-kind gun from Track, whether new, used, or antique.