Civil War Relicman Harry Ridgeway
	Winchester, Virginia USA (changed hands 70 times in the Civil War!) authentic Civil War relics, bought and sold.
	http://relicman.com/

Weapons (pre 1898) of the Civil War Relicman Sales catalog.

W1513 ### Breechloader, Spencer seven shot rimfire carbine, Model 1860, with 1865 modifications, Stabler cutoff using 56/52 cartridge, cavalry model fitted with saddle riding bar, .52cal. (sn# 45246) . Spencer carbine was a repeater, capable of handling seven all weather or metallic rim fire cartridges at a time, providing a major advantage over the single shot paper cartridge percussion weapons previously employed. The so called 56 / 56 cartridge was originally used, this meant that the side of the cartridge fitted over the bullet was straight, however the bullet and bore are smaller at approximately .52 caliber. Seven cartridges were loaded by a magazine tube fitted through the butt. The magazine had an internal spring, cartridge was readied by raising and lowering a lever also serving as a trigger guard. However, the 7 shot repeater proved to be unreliable, having a tendency to jam, so a number were reverted back to single shot by installation of the Stabler cutoff. This was lever installed on the bottom of the receiver, it could be switched on or off to enable or block the feed from the magazine. A square notch was cut into the bottom of the receiver, if the lever is removed, which is common, the square notch remains. In addition the sharp edges of the top of the receiver were milled rounded, this so that the cartridges could be more easily inserted into the chamber. The straight cartridge was also redesigned to a tapered cartridge 56 / 52 or 56 / 50, the bullet was smaller but still about .52 cal. The orginal six groove rifling was milled, and a sleeve was inserted with three groove rifling. The 22inch barrel was not shortened. The straight edge of hammer was milled to a bevel eliminating the edge protruding from the side of the receiver, however this 1865 beveled hammer was the same size as the 1860 straight hammer, so either can be found. The smooth magazine thumbstall was replaced with a ribbed surface. However, since the point of the conversion was to disable the magazine, either magazine can be found. Serial numbers run to about 67,000, all were manufactured before 1865 about 10,000 were modified in 1865. Manufactured by Spencer Repeating Rifle Co., Boston, Massachusetts. Mark on top of frame: SPENCER REPEATING - / RIFLE CO. BOSTON. MASS. / PAT'D MARCH 6. 1860. . Serial number on rear of frame. The wood was often refinished, old cartouches were sanded out and sometimes a new one will appear on the butt. No changes were made to the other features, iron buttplate with hole and catch to secure the magazine tube, single iron band, Spencer long range sight, saddle bar and ring installed on left side for hanging from a sling, strap hook on bottom of butt. Research Center: Weapon2451-Breechloader-Spencer-Carbine-Model-1860-v3 . Reference: Flayderman 9B-087. Barrel length, 22in. Serial number, 45246. This reflects 1865 modifications, chamber is milled, three groove rifling, the receiver is notched for Stabler cutoff, however lever tab has been removed. Hammer is straight 1860 hammer and thumbstall is smooth and not ribbed. For sale $2,000.00 . Details click: http://relicman.com/weapons/W1513.html

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All weapons I sell are "pre 1898 weapons". This exempts antique firearms from regulation, which means that they can be owned, or shipped through the mail, no permitting or licensing is required. The complete text of the law can be found in the Cornell online law library:
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode18/usc_sec_18_00000921----000-.html The following relevant excerpt is taken from the law:
(3) The term (firearm) means
(A) any weapon (including a starter gun) which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive;
(B) the frame or receiver of any such weapon;
(C) any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; or
(D) any destructive device.

Such term does not include an antique firearm.

(16) The term (antique firearm) means:
(A) any firearm (including any firearm with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system) manufactured in or before 1898; or.....

This means that pre 1898 weapons are excluded from the law by definition, therefore none of the rest of the law applies to antique weapons made before 1898.

One caution though, the weapons can be dangerous if not properly handled or used maliciously, so please be careful with them.

A note about safety of antique weapons: Pre 1898 weapons are not regulated because the law exempts them as weapons. They are old, they are antique, and some are compromised and altered well beyond their original design. Any of them can be fired, but safety is always a concern with antique weapons. Safety is also a concern if you drive an antique car on the road. With any antique, special care needs to be exercised, you do not want to simply take the thing off the shelf and shoot it. It should be carefully inspected, cleaned, serviced, and tested before firing. Most of these weapons have not been fired in at least 100 years, and the better ones have probably not been fired since the Civil War itself. There is risk of blockage, stressed metal, improper loading, and other problems that might not be imagined. In addition many collectors would consider any cleaning or use of a historic piece to be a compromise. A premium is paid for originality and condition of a historic piece, sometimes this premium is very significant for an unfired piece, a weapon never gets in better condition as it gets handled. However if you choose to fire an antique weapon versus displaying it, you will want to take it apart, thoroughly clean and inspect it before you fire it, or at least you ought to do that. These antique weapons require an entirely different approach versus the licensed modern weapons that are readily available and more easily and safely used for sport firing and hunting. As a dealer selling strictly antique weapons, I do not warrant any use.


All items listed are guaranteed authentic to the Civil War or as otherwise described.
Any excavated relics have been recovered from private property with owners permission.
Any artillery or ordnance relics have been disarmed and rendered safe.
All weapons are pre 1898 antique weapons, and are exempt from Federal regulation, no licenses or permits are required.


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Civil War Relicman, Harry Ridgeway, Civil War weapons, Relicman sales catalog. Sale listings click: http://relicman.com/weapons/Relicman-Sales-Weapon0000.html. Sale listings click: http://relicman.com/weapons/Relicman-Sales-Weapon0000.html.

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