This is an exceptional example of a Spencer Model 1860 Army rifle that was manufactured by the Spencer Repeating Rifle Company of Boston, Massachusetts. Reportedly, 11,470 of these innovative rifles were delivered to the U.S government between the end of 1862-1864. The Spencer rifles and carbines were the most successful repeating long arms manufactured during the Civil War. Rifles of this model typically saw hard use, and were carried by Colonel Wilder's "Lightning Brigade" at Hoover's Gap and General Custer's Michigan "Wolverines" at Gettysburg. The rifle features a 30-inch round barrel, seven-shot magazine tube in the stock, a brass blade front sight that doubles as a bayonet lug, an 800 yard folding ladder rear sight, six-groove rifling chambered for use with 56-52 "52 Spencer" rimfire, three barrel bands, the three-line Spencer address and patent marking on top of the breech, and smooth buttstock. The matching serial number "9531" is roll-stamped on the top of the receiver behind the ejector cut-out and on the bottom of the barrel. "J.W.CLAPP" stamped on the rear surface of the walnut forend. Two boxed script "HHH" and "DAP" (Dwight A. Perkins) inspection cartouches stamped on the left of the buttstock behind the rear lock screw. The rifle barrel has a military blue finish and the forearm cap, barrel bands, receiver, hammer, trigger, lever and crescent buttplate are color casehardened.