1863 Spencer carbine?

[KN]

Not sure if this is the place for this or not. I have acquired a Spencer carbine I believe is an 1863. It is stamped "Spencer repeating arms, Boston Mass, Patent March 6, 1860". It appears to be a 52 cal. and is in overall fair shape. Bore is rusty but rifling is still there. Externally it looks pretty good and the action still operates. Wood is good and it has a serial number of 44XXX which from what I can get off the web puts it in civil war issue. Any one know any thing else about these or know of a good source for info?  Thanks,   KN

[John Traveler]

Try posting your question at antiqueguns.com

[KN]

Thanks john.

[Mikey]

KN:  Is that the one that loads through the buttstock.  And the caliber is 52 Rimfire (??).  If it works, and is safe (have it checked by a gunsmith) and the chamber isn't too badly corroded from black powder and wartime use you can probably work up loads to shoot it.  I think it was a 52-40 (40 gns black powder) but not sure.  HTH.  Mikey.