Chiappa Firearms Model 1860 Spencer Carbine .45 Colt Lever Rifle, MFD 2015
SOLD FOR: $2400
LSB#: 210525JM01
Make: Chiappa
Model: 1860 Spencer Carbine Reproduction
Serial Number: 15L00110
Year of Manufacture: 2015 (CN Date Code)
Caliber: .45 Colt
Action Type: Lever Operated Rotating Breechblock Repeating Rifle with Tubular Magazine Loaded Through the Buttstock
Markings: The barrel ahead of the forearm band is marked “CHIAPPA FIREARMS, LTD, DAYTON, OHIO”, to the rear of the forearm band is marked “Chiappa Firearms ITALY”. The barrel, just behind the rear sight, is marked “45 COLT”. The top of the receiver, ahead of the breechblock, is marked “1860 Spencer”. The top of the receiver, to the rear of the breechblock, is marked “15L00110”. The bottom right side of the receiver, below the hammer, is marked with two proofs and a date code.
Barrel Length: 20”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short blade held in a slotted rectangular base on the barrel. The rear sight is a folding ladder sight. There is a shallow “V” notch in the bottom of the sight for use when the ladder is folded down. When the ladder is raised, there is a “V” notch at the bottom of the ladder, a “V” notch at the top of the slider and another in the top edge of the ladder. The ladder is marked from “2” at the bottom of the ladder for use with the lower “V” notch, “3” to “8” for use with a slider, and marked “9” next to the notch on the top edge.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth wood. The buttstock has a straight grip with a sling bar on the left side of the wrist with a saddle ring attached. The forend is held with a single barrel band. The buttstock has a crescent shaped case colored buttplate with hole for the inserted magazine tube. The top of the magazine tube rod handle swivels to the right so that the rod can be removed for loading. There is a sling swivel in the belly of the stock. The wood shows a couple faint draglines on the buttstock. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 12 7/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate shows no notable wear. The stocks rate in about Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with well defined rifling. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its current metal finish. There is no notable wear on the barrel. The case coloring on the lever has thinned and is receding at the front of the receiver. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fine-Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety position. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes in a hard plastic case with a manual. The case shows light storage rubs and fine scratches. The case rates in about Fine-Plus overall condition.
Our Assessment: The inventor of the Spencer Carbine was Christopher Miner Spencer, one of the leading figures of the machine tool industry. The Spencer carbine was different from any other firearm of its time. It was accurate; fired rapidly; had a long effective range; and held seven metallic cartridges that weren’t affected by moisture. It could be fired more rapidly than a Colt style revolver and reloaded in one-tenth the time. By the end of the Civil War, more than 144,000 Spencer rifles and carbines had been manufactured; over two-thirds of which were purchased by the U.S. government. To keep up with demand, Spencer subcontracted some production to the Burnside Rifle Co. of Providence, Rhode Island. Spencer rifles and carbines met with high praise from those who were equipped with them, and with respect from those who faced them in battle. In its first combat test, Spencer-armed Union troops under the command of Colonel John Wilder earned the nickname “Lightning Brigade” when they defeated a numerically superior Confederate force at the Battle of Hoover’s Gap, Tennessee on June 24, 1863. The Spencer carbines remained in use by the U. S. Army’s mounted troops until the late 1870’s. This is a Model 1860 Spencer Carbine reproduction that was made in 2015. This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish and rates in about Fine-Excellent condition. Please see our photos and good luck!