This is an excellent Spencer Repeating Rifle by Burnside Rifle Co. Model 1865 Saddle Ring Carbine attributed to being issued by General George Armstrong Custer to his U.S. Cavalry Scout Caroo a Blackfeet warrior. These Spencer Model 1865 carbines were manufactured by Burnside Rifle Company and issued by the U.S. Government for use on the Plains of the Indians Wars. This example was examined by The Guns of History and found to be signed in Lakota Togia markings by Caroo Blackfoot – Scout Long Hair. George Armstrong Custer needed scouts for the Sioux Campaign and met with Chief John Grass of the Blackfeet at Fort Yates asking for his service. He declined as the Blackfeet and Arikara did not get along. He offered the help of a few of his warriors who were married to Arikara women. He sent five warriors to Fort Lincoln where Custer issued them a Colt Single Action Revolver and Spencer SRC when they were commissioned as scouts. These included Caroo (a half-breed Dakota interpreter), White Cloud (Mach Peyaska), Left Hand (Chat Ka) and Buffalo Ancestor. This rifle is attributed as being the Spencer Saddle Ring Carbine that was issued to Caroo, who was a scout for Custer at the Battle of the Little Bighorn and served as rear guard for the captured Sioux Ponies. Later Caroo was killed in a drunken brawl on June 8, 1878. The top of the flat receiver is marked, “SPENCER REPEATING RIFLE PAT’D MARCH 6, 1860 MANUF’D AT PROV. R.I. BY BURNSIDE RIFLE Co. / MODEL 1865”. Marked behind the hammer, “1031_” with the last number being rubbed off. Attributed as SN 10314. The carbine has the magazine tube in the butt stock, said to be a 70 shot SRC. The rolling block, hammer and trigger all appear to function properly. Antique Firearm NO FFL.