Extremely rare Spencer Sporting Rifle

[Henry4440]

Extremely rare Spencer Sporting Rifle with factory engraved receiver by Louis D. Nimschke or his shop. This is one of only three factory engraved Spencer Sporting rifles in existence, (page 115, Spencer Repeating firearms, 1983, by Roy Marcot). This rifle was more than likely an exhibition piece. Of the three noted engraved rifles in Roy Marcot's book, one was presented to the emperor of Austria (1867), Franz Josef I (now in the Hapsburg collection at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna) and the second known engraved specimen was presented to Edward Stabler by the Burnside-Spencer Sporting Rifle. (Edward Stabler designed the magazine cut off switch for the Spencer carbine post Civil War.) No other engraved arms appear in Spencer Repeating Firearms. Chambered for the .44 caliber, 56-46, Spencer cartridge, this deluxe rifle has a blued barrel with dove-tailed steel front sight blade, folding rear sight on the barrel, tang mounted folding, long range peep sight and a single set trigger. The casehardened receiver, hammer, loading lever, buttplate and magazine cover are profusely engraved with American style scroll-work on a punch-dot background. The flawlessly executed engraving covers at least 85% of the receiver and most of the loading lever and buttplate. The stock and pewter-tipped forend are highly figured select walnut with a varnished, high gloss, "piano" finish. The top of the receiver has the standard Spencer, three-line, Boston address and patent date in an engraved panel. The serial number, "1010" is located on the left side of the receiver to avoid being covered by the tang sight. The numbers "515" and "517" are stamped on bottom of barrel beneath the forend. Number "863" is marked on two major parts of the breech and on the side of the cocking lever Engraved Spencer firearms are an extreme rarity.
And now the pics.

[Two Flints]

Henry4440,

Do you have a link to the site where you found these photos?  Is it for sale

Thanks for posting!

Two Flints

[Henry4440]

Yip, price $30,000-$40,000.
Oh btw here is the link:
http://www.rockislandauction.com/view_item.aspx?aid=40&iid=197694

[Fox Creek Kid]

Notice the set trigger w/ adjusting screw. 

[Black River Smith]

Now I normally don't care for engraving.  But for some reason that does look mighty pretty.

[matt45]

Is this Frank Cheney's rifle