1. Material:
  2. metal (543)

Civil War Rifle

Creator:
Spencer Repeating Rifle Co.
Location:
Boston, Massachusetts
Origin Date:
Unknown
Materials:
metal, wood
Measurements:
L:37"
Item ID:
71.2009.082.0506
Holding Institution:
Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection, courtesy of the Indiana State Museum
Available for Viewing:
No
Category:
Three-dimensional Objects

Description

This firearm is a Spencer Repeating Rifle, and is made out of a combination of wood and metal. The butt of the gun is made out of wood, and had metal attachments. The butt plate is made out of metal and attached to the gun with metal screws. The magazine tube is still in place on the butt plate, and is also made out of metal. Towards the rear of the underside of the butt, there is a metal rear sling swivel, that is also attached by metal screws. The breech of this gun is made out of metal. It includes a breech block which opens and closes, the trigger, lock plate, and hammer. There is also a breech stamping which reads, "Spencer Repeating -Rifle Co. Boston Mass. Pat'd March 6. 1860." There is also a serial number M1805 stamped on the barrel of the gun. The number 16605 is inscribed behind the hammer. There is a piece of wood attached to the side of the breech, and under part of the barrel. There is a front sling swivel band made out of metal wrapped around the barrel the wood, to hold it together. There is a rear sight made out of metal at the breech end of the barrel, and a front sight at the muzzle end of the barrel. Part of the Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection, courtesy of the Indiana State Museum