Guns International #: 102776088
Seller's Inventory #: S-01

Category - Civil War Carbines - Spencer Rifles

Category
Civil War Carbines
Spencer Rifles

Spencer Model 1860 Cavalry Carbine Issued to George W. Taylor, Co. B, 14th Kansas Cavalry with Provenance

Description:
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Spencer Model 1860 cavalry carbine, caliber 56-56 Spencer (52 Rimfire), 22" round barrel, walnut stocks, sling bar on left side of receiver, open sights, iron mountings, blued barrel, case hardened receiver/buttplate, 7-shot removable magazine tube in the butt stock. Serial number 51884, which was a direct hit in the Springfield Research Survey, showing direct issue to Co. B, 14th Kansas Cavalry. Here is the 14th KS history (key engagements are bold):

Organized at Fort Scott and Leavenworth April, 1863, as a Battalion of 4 Companies for escort to General Blunt. Regiment organized at Fort Scott, December, 1863. Attached to District of the Frontier, Dept. of Missouri, April, 1863, to January, 1864. Unattached, District Frontier, 7th Corps, Dept. Arkansas, to March, 1864. 3rd Brigade, Frontier Division, 7th Corps, to January, 1865. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 7th Corps, to February, 1865. Unattached, 7th Corps, Pine Bluff, Ark., to June, 1863.
SERVICE.-Cabin Creek, C. N., July 1-2, 1863 (Co. "B"). Operations against Quantrell in Kansas August 20-28. Massacre at Lawrence August 21 (Detachment). Operations in Cherokee Nation September 11-25. Waldron September 11. Baxter Springs October 6 (Co. "B"). Regiment moved to Fort Smith, Ark., November 20-December 3. Duty there scouting and foraging till February 23. 1864. Expedition into Choctaw County February 1-21. Moved to Ozark February 26-28, and duty there till April 6. Flint Creek March 6. Steele's Expedition against Camden April 6-May 3. Prairie D'Ann April 9-12. Poison Spring April 18 (Detachment). Jenkins' Ferry, Saline River, April 30 (Cos. "F" and "G"). Return to Fort Smith May and duty there till January, 1865. Hahn's Farm near Waldron June 19, 1864. Ozark July 14-15. Scout on Republican River August 19-24. Camp Verdegris September 2. Cabin Creek September 19. Vache Grass September 26. (Co. "E" with Blunt's headquarters during Brice's Raid in Missouri and Kansas October-November. Big Blue and State Line October 22. Westport October 23. Mine Creek, Little Osage River, and Battle of Charlot October 25. Newtonia October 28.) Moved to Clarksville January 1, 1865, thence to Pine Bluff February 25-27, and duty there till May. Moved to Fort Gibson and duty there till June. Mustered out June 25, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 2 Officers and 51 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 114 Enlisted men by disease. Total 169.

Knowing the unit of issue, we sent a researcher into the National Archives to research this carbine and came up with its issue to George W. Taylor. Picture is his service summary and the page from the 14th Kansas, Co. B descriptive rolls showing the firearm by manufacture and serial number (highlighted). Not pictured but included in the provenance are his pension record, burial/gravesite location, muster cards and records, enlistment and discharge records.

The carbine shows its use, both as a Civil War arm and as a frontier-used arm. Barrel retains 5% original finish turned patina with some staining. Bore has consistent rifling with typical scattered black powder fouling, no rings or bulges. Rear sight was replaced with a non-adjustable semi-buckhorn rear sight common to the muzzleloaders and occasionally seen on the early Winchester Models 1866 and 1873 rifle and carbines. Butt stock swivel and base were removed, presumably to quiet the carbine down in hunting situations and the location filled with a wood plug held by two brads. The butt stock is lacking the magazine tube stop screw; magazine removes and inserts as it should. The top of the butt stock has a brass inlay held by two brads, often seen on the Native American used firearms as a good luck/good omen. Fore arm stock has been shortened and the barrel band is missing. There is a "P" proofmark on the barrel which would be covered if the barrel band was present. No government markings are present on the butt stock due to wear. Various parts of the action and receiver have capital M and R sub-inspector initials. Action functions properly and the hammer spring is strong. Serial number matches on top tang and on underside of barrel after fore arm is removed. Top of the receiver has the 3-line manufacture stamping. As collectors, we often wonder "if guns could talk" and this one does talk, at least in part, having a traceable Civil War/soldier history.

No international sales. Must ship to FFL or C&R license (recent changes in NY State law requires shipment to an FFL only if going to a NY State buyer). Payment by personal check, bank check or postal money order (sorry no credit cards). 3 day non-firing inspection. Buyer pays return shipping. Packed with care and shipped USPS Priority Mail with tracking.

SOLD

Antique: Yes
Rifle Caliber: .56-56 Spencer
Manufacturer: Spencer
Model: 1860
Serial Number: 51884
Barrel Length: 22" Round
Bore: 6-groove rifling
Condition: Fair
Metal Condition: Fair
Wood Condition: Fair
Bore Condition: Good
Action: Single shot breechloader
Triggers: Standard/plain
Stock: Walnut
Manufacture Date: 1864
Item Location: New York