nickel plated 1860 spencer carbine

[rick s]

Did Spencer nickel plate any 1860 carbines at the factory? Given that I understand that no model 1860 was made after 1865 and that the first nickel plated guns in U.S. that I am aware of were made after 1865, around 1869-70, this seems unlikely, but I have been told that Spencer submitted a few nickel plated 1860 carbines to the U.S. Navy. Bottom line: did the Spencer factory ever nickel plate any 1860 carbines?

[Blair]

What you are probably seeing was a Post War plating done by a GAR Post or by a Military School for Parades or Drill Team.
The USN did do some experimenting with different types of firearms finishes and plating for arms that may be aboard ships at sea for years at a time. To my understanding this was done before the Civil War. Blued finishes were the best. Of the plating, "hot dipped" tin was satisfactory, but was never adopted.
I hope this helps.
My best,
 Blair

[Two Flints]

Thanks Blair for the post . . . a number of years ago I purchased a Spencer Carbine that had been on display in a Veteran's Hall . . . someone had nickel plated various metal parts of the Spencer, which I was able to remove after some effort. I blued those areas with some success.  That Spencer is a shooter and looks pretty good now!

Two Flints

[Advertising]