I have an 1863 Spencer rifle .... long barrell .... in good condition .... Serial Number 1453 .... these were supposeldy issued to Custer's Michigan Wolverines. Only 1,500 long guns were made before they switched to the shorter carbine version .... same works and action,just shorter stock and barrell.

The longer weapon was harder to handle on horseback and it does not have a saddle ring. Mine has a magazine in the butt and I believe the thing would shoot well IF I had the ammunition for it.

I take it out of the case and oil it up once in a while and will again mount it on the wall after this office is rebuilt. It's a fine piece of American history even if the Henry is considered more popular and considerably more expensive these days. I don't really understand that because of the scarceity of Spencer long rifles. Some 43,000 carbines were made and the last one I saw sold for $3,500. Old Chris sure had the right idea!