This is a Model 1860 Spencer Carbine that has been converted to a Forager shotgun. The serial number of 32784 places the original manufacturing date of this weapon in early 1864. In it's original configuration the carbine had a .52 caliber, 22" barrel with 6 groove rifling. There were approximately 50,000 of these carbines manufactured by the Spencer rifle Company between 1863 and 1865. When the Civil War ended many weapons were altered for continued use in the military. Between 1867 and 1874 the Springfield Armory altered over 11,000 Spencer carbines. The barrels were sleeved for smaller caliber ammunition and had three groove rifling. A stabilizer cut-off was added forward of the trigger to prevent the breech from opening completely. This prevented the next round in the magazine tube from entering the breech, thus allowing the weapon to be fired single shot. The left side of the stocks had an oval cartouche with the letters ESA within. This particular weapon is one of the Springfield Armory alterations, as the left side of the stock has a clear ESA oval cartouche and the stabilizer cut off forward of the trigger. There the similarities end. The barrel is 26" long and is a smooth bore. The bore is very bright, without corrosion or pitting and comes out to be a perfect 16 gage shotgun barrel. The barrel has only one marking, the number 11 stamped near the breech under the forearm grip. There are no sights on the barrel. At one time there was a front sight, but there has never been a rear sight applied to the barrel. A groove has been etched into the top of the receiver where the Spencer Rifle Company markings are located. I believe this to be a field alteration of an armory altered weapon. Soldiers out west used these shotguns, or foragers, to supplement their meager and rather bland Army rations. This is a very nice example of a Civil War weapon that continued on in service, having been altered once by a government armory and again but by the soldier in the field.

Item # AA1032

(Sold)