11,470 of these innovative rifles were manufactured for the U.S government in 1863 and 1864. Rifles of this model were carried by Colonel Wilder's "Lightning Brigade" at Hoover's Gap and General Custer's Michigan "Wolverines" at Gettysburg. It has a brass blade front sight that doubles as a bayonet lug, six-groove rifling, three barrel bands, an 800 yard folding ladder rear sight, the three-line Spencer address and patent marking on top of the breech, and smooth buttstock with standard 7-round tubular magazine inserted through the buttplate. Matching serial number "22979" marked on the frame and bottom of the barrel. Single letter inspection initials on various components. Two faintly visible boxed script inspection cartouches stamped on the left of the buttstock behind the rear lock screw. Large initials "HL" carved in the right of the buttstock.