.50 Spencer Rimfire. 20" barrel. SN: 7810. Heavily oxidized metal, iron mountings, partial walnut stock. Lever action repeating carbine with manually cocked hammer fed from a seven shot magazine in the butt with correct M1865 ladder rear sight Barleycorn front sight, sling bar and ring on reverse wrist and swivel mount in toe of stock missing the swivel. A correct pattern magazine follower is installed in the butt. Markings are extremely weak due to condition with only traces of the Spencer markings on top of the receiver but a legible "M1865" marking on the barrel. No serial number is legible on the receiver, but one is clearly marked under the barrel. The gun is in relic, as found condition with no forend and with the butt showing signs of having been in a fire. The carbine is purported to have been found on the property of the JA Ranch in Texas and was likely captured and used by the Comanche in that area.

The JA Ranch is the oldest continually operating ranch in Texas. It is located in the Texas panhandle and was established by Charles Goodnight and Cornelia & John Adair in 1876. Goodnight was a pioneering rancher who established the Goodnight-Loving trail from Texas to Colorado and which became one of the most used cattle trails of the era. While working as a scout with the Texas Rangers he led them to the encampment of Comanche leader Peta Nocona where the white captive Cynthia Ann Parker was being held. The ensuing fight resulted in Nocona's death and Parker's release. Cynthia Ann Parker is best known as the mother of the mixed ethnicity Comanche leader Quanah Parker. Comanches often passed through and lived in the region of JA Ranch and it is likely that this carbine was recovered after a raid on one of their temporary encampments. {ANTIQUE} 

Good Relic Condition. Bore rusty and pitted. Metal with a thickly oxidized brown patina, evenly distributed light surface roughness and some expected pitting. Markings are only partially legible. Action need mechanical attention to operate correctly. Forearm missing. Butt partially burned away and heavily worn. A great looking relic gun with strong historical Texas and Native American association.