Model 1865 Spencer Carbine Attributed to Kit Carson

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Arms and Armor

By Cowan's Auctions

Dec 8, 2020

Set Reminder 2020-12-08 10:00:00 2020-12-08 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Arms and Armor https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/cowans/arms-and-armor-6050
Cowan's December Arms & Armor auction features a wide variety of quality items to satisfy every collector including an eclectic selection of historic militaria, knives, swords, and firearms. Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com

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• Lot Description
  .56-50 caliber, 18.5" barrel, S/N 2820. Serial number on barrel under forend matches.  Blade front sight with ladder rear sight.  Fitted with stabler cut-off.  Blued barrel with color case hardened frame and smooth walnut stock, smooth forend secured by a single barrel band. Top of receiver marked "Model 1865" over four-line "Spencer Repeating Rifle/PAT'D MARCH 6 1860/MANUF'D AT PROV. R.I./BY BURNSIDE RIFLE CO." No military markings present on stock or sub-inspector markings on small parts.  Stock decorated around the periphery with square shanked brass-headed tacks on each side of stock.  Obverse of stock hand-marked with punch tool, reading "C. CARSON", with what appears to be an abandoned attempt of the same style of marking on the reverse. Magazine follower tube not present. A hard used Spencer carbine, showing features and wear typical of American Indian use.
  
  According to a document dated July 24, 1946, this carbine was placed on loan to Bent Lodge No. 42, Free and Accepted Masons, by Mrs. C.D. Weimer (nee Elsa Gusdorf) shortly before the death of her mother Bertha on August 30, 1946. The document specifies that the carbine is to be held "In Trust for Melvin B. Weimer" Elsa's son. 
  
  Bent Lodge served as the caretakers of the Carson Property after its initial acquisition by the Lodge in 1910. In 1937, under the care of Lodge member Floyd Morrow, the house was first used as a museum, with the lodge charging a small fee for tours.  Recognizing it's significance, we assume that Bertha Gusdorf instructed Elsa to place the carbine on loan to the Museum. In 1949, the Kit Carson Memorial Fund Inc. was chartered to ensure the perpetual care of the site as a museum.
  
  Although the history of the carbine is lost to the ages, the Gusdorf's held a prominent place in Taos history. Elsa Gusdorf (1898-1946) was the daughter of Alexander (1848-1923) and Bertha Gusdorf (1858-1946) who came to the Taos area in the mid to late 1870s.  Together with his half brother, Alexander established a flour mill, a hardware store, opened the Don Fernando Hotel and was the President of the First State Bank of Taos. At his death in 1923, the Gusdorf estate consisted of more than 12,000 acres of ranch and mining lands, along with other real estate holdings.  Bertha became responsible for the family fortunes, and became the first woman to serve as president of the bank. The couple had two daughters, Elsa (Weimer) and Corine (Wylie)
  
  Elsa lived most of her younger years in Taos, before marrying C. D Weimer of Colorado Springs, Colorado. It was through Elsa that the carbine has descended.
  
  Though the document from Bent Lodge states that this piece was "Kit Carson's Rifle", the possibility of its use by the western hero is unclear, as Carson passed away at Fort Lyon, Colorado on May 23, 1868. By this time in his life Carson had been retired from active military service since 1867. The first military US Model 1865 carbines did not arrive in the Colorado Territory until 1868, at which time 500 were issued. Though rare, these carbines are easily distinguished by a brand on the observe side of the buttstock reading "U.S./COL. TER." in addition to the typical military cartouches.  However, the gun may have been acquired by Carson on his late 1867 trip to Washington, in which he accompanied several Chiefs of the Ute nation to assist them in their lobbying of the U.S. Federal Government for aid. In any case, the carbine has for many years been labeled as his carbine, even being the subject of a published picture in the 1978 Time-Life publication The Scouts (page 33). The lot is further accompanied by a Polaroid photograph dated 10/7/98 showing the carbine on display with other rifles at the Carson Museum.
  
  The lot additional includes a beaded buckskin rifle scabbard (which was almost certainly not made for the carbine)  from the early 20th century, as well as a copy of the original loan documents from the Bent Lodge, the Polaroid photograph showing the gun on exhibit, and a copy of the Time Life series book in which the carbine and scabbard are illustrated.

  Condition

  Carbine shows wear typical of Indian use. Barrel has a mixed gunmetal patination with some streaks of rust around receiver along with some darkening to a chocolate coloration.  Some patches of bright steel remaining on receiver as well as triggerguard.  Markings on lockplate obliterated, with receiver markings partially legible.  Some loss of tacks with stabler cut-off mechanism missing.  Stock shows some marks and blemishes consistent with age and use as well as some drying and stable cracks, especially on wrist.  Some sections of missing wood typical with a well-used gun of this age.  Sling bar missing.  Action is fine and very tight.  Bore is dark with scattered old pitting and some visible rifling.  A well-used carbine with western provenance.
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