Model 1865 Spencer Carbine- Refinished By Schuyler Hartley & Graham For Western Sales

Springfield Altered M1860/65 Spencer Carbine. Refinished by Schuyler, Hartley and Graham.

This carbine utilizes the old receiver M1860, but has the 20 inch barrel, and marked  M1865 behind the rear sight. Work was done at Springfield Armory altering both carbines and rifles (into carbines), before the Burnside M 1865 began to arrive. The rear sight is the new pattern that was issued on Models 1865, 67 and New Model carbines and rifles. Forearm barrel band is the old pattern without sling swivel.  The Stabler Cut-off were placed on these new modified 1860 carbines at Springfield, and thus the work would have been overseen by Lucien C. Allin, the Foreman in charge of repairs, and his cartouche is stamped in the proper place behind the saddle ring bar plate.

This carbine serial number 17529, is one of those alterations done at Springfield, but the butt stock does not have Lucien C. Allin’s inspection cartouche, and this was a new stock added to this carbine; new wood at that time, with the base for a rifle sling swivel in place . The original finish on the gun, case hardened frame, action, lock, lever, were blued over existing finish, The butt is blued, as well as the forend barrel band, trigger guard, carbine ring bar, and screws.  The barrel was browned.  This later work was done either for or by Schuyler, Hartley and Graham.  From researching I found that this company, beside being a military uniform, and goods company began to purchase large quantity of weapons for selling to those going west, or for post war needs locally. I found on page 96 of the book, Arming The West, A Fresh New Look at the Guns that were Actually Carried on the Frontier, by Herbert G. Houze. the book is a shipping record of firearms sales from S, H. & G.  I have copied that information here for you.  In March of 1873 20 Spencer  Carbines, Refinished and with Stabler Attachments. (I have edited this last line as it reads on the brief line item), and these carbines were shipped to Fort Benton, Montana.

I have no idea that this is one of those 20, but surely Springfield was auctioning off the old pattern carbines in the early 70’s as the Army was issuing out the new 1873 Trapdoors.

A nice example of one of the modified Springfield Spencers, late sold off for American going west in the Post Civil War years.

The Carbine is in fine condition. Some large dings on the lower lever.