WTB: Spencer Rifle for skirmishing

[gmkmd]

Looking for a Spencer rifle suitable for skirmishing. Repro is fine, vs. relined original.

[rich.j.ryan]

http://www.n-ssa.org/vbforum/showthread.php/9458-FS-ArmiSport-Spencer-Carbine-MINT?highlight=spencer

Glenn - My dad has one for sale...never shot before!
Rich (your golf partner from the last Fall Nationals)

[gmkmd]

Thanks, but I am looking for a rifle; already have a carbine.

[Two Flints]

Thanks, but I am looking for a rifle; already have a carbine.

Check out this link I received today.

http://www.shilohrelics.com/cgi-bin/display_item.asp?108639

Two Flints

[R. McAuley 3014V]

Glenn,

For around $700 Larry Romano could perhaps rebarrel it for you, chambered for .56-50, and that would give you a rifle to shoot without destroying its historical value?

[gmkmd]

Certainly a good thought, but that would rob me of the fun of buying a whole other gun.

[John Holland]

Just a note of caution: The ArmiSport reproduction Spencer Rifle is NOT approved for use in the N-SSA's competitive matches. There are some dimensional issues that, to the best of my knowledge, have not yet been corrected by the manufacturer. If anyone cares purchase one they can make the corrections themselves (the standard N-SSA +/- tolerances will apply), and then submit it to the SAC for an individual approval.

The required corrections, as of 2010, are as follows:

1 - Move the bottom barrel band back towards the receiver one inch.
2 - Move the middle barrel band back towards the receiver one inch.
3 - Move the front sight back towards the receiver one-half inch.

John Holland
SAC

[R. McAuley 3014V]

Glenn, here is another M1860 Spencer rifle for sale:

http://www.fortdonelsonrelics.com/cgi-bin/Display_Item.asp?1190

http://www.fortdonelsonrelics.com/cgi-bin/Display_Item.asp?1191
(http://www.fortdonelsonrelics.com/cgi-bin/Display_Item.asp?1191)

Of some 32 specimens examined since 2008, the average price for an original M1860 Spencer Rifle (regardless of condition) is $4,840. Occasionally, you might get lucky and find one cut down to carbine length or converted into a shotgun from $1200-$2000. I seem to recall someone here found one for $400.

[gmkmd]

Thanks, John- I was wondering if the Taylor's rifle was approved.
As far as originals, is either the model 1860 or the 1865 approved, or just the 1860?

[John Holland]

Glenn,

The Small arms Committee will allow both the 1860 and the 1865 Spencer Rifle. The M-1865 Rifle is considered to be a reasonable replica of the 1860. The decision to allow the Rifle in .56-50 was made long before my involvement.

John Holland
SAC

[Ibgreen]

I.M.O. The best origional rifle to find is a NM (1868). It can handle starline brass wonderfully and the ones that find there way back from Europe tend to be in great shape.

[gmkmd]

Is that model also approved?

[R. McAuley 3014V]

Is that model also approved?

Glenn,

Likely you will need to replace the Spencer cutoff mechanism at the top with the M1860 cartridge follower (guide). S&S Firearms has them (SP117) for $35.


http://www.ssfirearms.com/proddetail.asp?prod=SP117


Below is a link to another related discussion of the Belgian Spencers, with photos of the NM 1868 Spencers, at Cascity. Also shown are some 3D drawings of how the the various upper breech blocks, originals and repros, were made (showing their internal configurations).

http://www.n-ssa.org/vbforum/showthread.php/8235-Spencer-center-fire?highlight=spencer

[R. McAuley 3014V]

Another link to the M1873 Falisse & Trapmann Union Armuriere Belge (Belgian) Spencers

http://www.littlegun.info/arme%20bresil/militaires/a%20falisse%20and%20trapmann%20gb.htm (http://www.littlegun.info/arme%20bresil/militaires/a%20falisse%20and%20trapmann%20gb.htm)

[R. McAuley 3014V]

M1865 Spencer Rifle - £2,800 (about US$4,640) - in West Yorkshire, UK

http://www.andrewbottomley.com/a-rar...989-1152-p.asp (http://www.andrewbottomley.com/a-rare-american-spencer-rimfire-rifle-model-1865-manufactured-around-the-time-of-the-us-civil-war-very-good-condition-ref-7989-1152-p.asp)

Erratta: According to Roy Marcot's book (page 92), there was approximately 1,000 of these Model 1865 Spencer rifles produced in 1865 and 1866, principally for export though some purchases may have been domestic sales.

[B-Davis]

http://gunauction.com/buy/12965634/guns-for-sale-antiques/spencer-model-1960-carbine-civil-war-indian-wars-.50-cal-repeater.no-ffl

I just came across this one in auction. Sorry! You were looking for the rifle,this is the carbine. BUT if anyone else is interested...