.56-52 (56-56) Spencer caliber. 30" barrel. SN: 2578. Blued and color casehardened finish, walnut stock and forend secured by three solid, spring-retained barrel bands. Lever action, manually cocked repeating rifle with seven round tubular magazine in butt, military folding ladder rear sight, Barleycorn combination front sight and socket bayonet lug and sling swivels on the middle band and in toe of stock. Top of receiver marked in three lines: SPENCER REPEATING/RIFLE CO BOSTON MASS/PAT'D MARCH 6 1860. Reverse wrist with no visible cartouches. Retains the correct pattern magazine follower tube in the butt. This gun is listed by serial number in Volume 3 of the US Martial Arms Springfield Research Service serial number books on page 116 as being issued to the 6th Independent Company of Ohio Sharpshooters in 1863. The 6th Independent Co. of OH Sharpshooters spent their service assigned to the Headquarters of Generals Rosecrans and Thomas, commanding the Army of the Cumberland and were known as "Thomas' Bodyguards". The company served in that capacity through the war, from March of 1863 through July of 1865. {ANTIQUE}