Just Listed at Dave Taylor's Antiques - Spencer Rifle Navy Version

[Two Flints]

Hello SSS,

A great look at a Navy Spencer Rifle Serial



13-01-46 - Spencer Navy Rifle Serial Number 79: Manufactured circa 1862.
 Records show that only 709 of these rifles were made in this Navy pattern and all   were delivered to the US Navy Yard. (Another source states 1000 navy rifles were produced, but that is an estimate.) The top of the receiver is marked "SPENCER REPEATING/RIFLE CO. BOSTON MASS/PAT'D MARCH 6, 1860" and the serial number 79 is marked on the top rear of the receiver where it meets the wrist. This is the lowest serial number I have seen on a Spencer rifle… Rear sight graduated to 800 yards. The distinctive feature of the Navy rifle is the barrel being fitted with a bayonet lug on the underside of the muzzle for attachment of a saber bayonet. These navy rifles are beyond scarce, they are downright rare, with upper condition examples bringing in the range of twenty thousand dollars. This specimen is overall “very good” condition. All metal is smooth with a uniform delicate blue-grey patina… very attractive, honest, and untouched. All metal markings are crisp and legible. The stock has expected bumps and bruises and some ancient stress cracks in the butt stock, (see pictures), but it is very solid and presentable. There are a couple chips in the forearm that the photos illustrate accurately. I haven’t owned a Spencer navy rifle in years and am glad to have this one to offer. It surfaced in SW Michigan. A must for the Spencer collector, Civil War arms collector, and Navy collector. With the serial number of 79 we can be sure this rifle was produced during the first week of production and perhaps the first day of production … $4,950.00

http://www.angelfire.com/oh3/civilwarantiques/1301webcat02.html

Two Flints