Frontier used Indian Wars Spencer Model 1865 repeating saddle ring carbine. This .50 caliber modelwas made from 1865-1866 with approximately 23,000 made. It is considerably more scarce than the Civil War model of which 144,500 were manufactured. The main difference between the two is the earlier carbine had a 22 inch barrel and was in .52 caliber where the Model 1865 has a 20” barrel and chambered for a .50 caliber cartridge. The Model 1865 was produced for the U.S. Cavalry for the Indian Wars and, being a repeating arm holding 7 rounds plus one in the chamber, was a very effective and deadly weapon. Historically, it was the carbine used at the battle (massacre) of the Washita in the Indian Territory (present day Oklahoma). The battle occurred on November 27, 1868 when Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer’s 7th U. S. Cavalry attacked Black Kettle’s Southern Cheyenne camp on the Washita river. Interestingly, when the cavalry switched to the Model 1873 Springfield .45-70 carbine inthat same year, many soldiers were reluctant to turn in their repeating Spencer Model 1865s for a singleshot carbine. After the switch to the Springfield, many of the surplus Spencers were sold off on the civilian market. Settlers and gold seekers heading west bought many of these fine carbines where they saw hard use on the Frontier. This example with serial number 10216 is probably an example of a carbine that saw service with the U. S. Cavalry and then went west with a civilian owner. The evidence of this is the heavy saddle wear on the forend. The forend is solid and fully intact, yet shows much thinning to the wood behind the barrel band which is indicative of being carried in hand over a saddle and ready for immediate use. The cavalry typically carried their carbines in a leather “boot” or scabbardattached to the saddle or hanging from a shoulder sling using the saddle or “sling” ring. Overall, this carbine is in fine condition with clear “M-1865” marking on the top of the barrel ahead of the receiver. The barrel also retains the original ladder rear sight. The flat top portion of the receiver retains the correct Spencer markings. The butt stock is solid with tight wood to metal fit and retains the sling ring and bar. The overall metal is a fairly smooth aged brown patina showing no evidence of being cleaned or polished. The action is tight and retains the original magazine spring device in the butt stock/butt plate. The bore is in very fine condition showing no pitting and very strong rifling throughout. The Spencer was one of the first successful repeating arms to use a cartridge. Its only real competition was the famed Henry rifle and later Model 1866 Winchester of the same time period, yet many preferred theSpencer because it utilized a much larger and more powerful cartridge than the .44 Rim Fire cartridge. This example has seen double history- first with the cavalry during the Indian Wars and then on the western frontier in civilian hands. A wonderful and most attractive piece of American history! This firearm qualifies as an Antique, and does not require FFL Transfer or NICS Background Check.