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Item No.:	8229	Price :	SOLD
Item :	MODEL 1865 SPENCER CAVALRY CARBINE

Description :

This is an original, Model 1865 Spencer Cavalry Carbine. The Spencer was a breech loading, lever action, 7-shot, repeating carbine fed from a tubular magazine in the butt. In its earlier incarnation, the Model 1860, the Spencer served with distinction from 1863 to war's end. The Model 1865 differed from its predecessor in several ways. The first was a reduction from .52 to .50 caliber. The hammer nose was reshaped and the carbine was fitted with the "Stabler Cut Off". This was a small lever that could be toggled to block the movement of the lever, effectively making the Spencer a single shot weapon. This was done to conserve the ammunition in the magazine until a higher rate of fire was actually needed. It was not popular. The M1865 arrived on the scene too late to participate in the Civil War and served in the Indian Wars of the 1870's and 80's. This Spencer is in about antique good condition. It has been heavily cleaned, leaving no original case colored finish on the receiver, lock, lever, or butt plate. These parts are now a pewter color. There are some small pitted areas on the receiver. The barrel has been reblued and retains about 90% of that finish. The mechanics work well. The bore is fair. It is dark with some pitting, but rifling remains visible along its length. The tubular magazine retains its spring and plunger. The Stabler Cut Off has been removed and is missing from the gun. The stock has been cleaned as well, and lightly sanded. The result is a lighter colored stock except for the deeper dings and dents, which remain dark. There is a chip in the stock just below the lock, where the wood joins the receiver. There is a chunk of wood missing from the fore end on the right side along the top of the barrel channel. This is certainly no museum piece, but it is a solid, working Spencer. Stock no. 21626

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