Cowboys and Spencers *** Two Great Photos ***

Two Flints · January 15, 2009, 11:00:37 AM

Hello SSS,

A really great photograph of Two Fully Dressed Cowboys, Missoula, Montana Territory, circa 1880s with a Spencer Rifle. These Wild West cowboys are wearing great cowboy hats, fringed leather chaps, and brand new cowboy shirts with kerchiefs. The cowboy seated on left has a Colt revolver? in a double loop holster, as well as a Spencer rifle. The very young cowboy on the right has what appears to be a Winchester in his arms. They are posing with three Native American women and a child.

Two Flints

Jrw8214 · January 15, 2009, 12:24:14 PM

Great picture. The one on the left has a Russian in his holster though.

Deadeye Don · January 15, 2009, 01:24:37 PM

Quote from: Jrw8214 on January 15, 2009, 12:24:14 PM
Great picture. The one on the left has a Russian in his holster though.

Looks more like an 1878 Colt double action to me.

Well now I just saw the spur on the trigger guard. Russian it is.

Willie Dixon · January 15, 2009, 03:04:39 PM

great pic!! That's awesome... saving that one!

Herbert · January 15, 2009, 07:40:01 PM

the litle felow looks lick hes ready to scalp somone

Two Flints · January 15, 2009, 08:55:09 PM

SSS,

Here is a photo that my wife found for me. She has the Spencer "bug" too

Another outstanding photo this one showing an Interracial Armed and Mounted Posse, circa 1890s. Seven determined looking men (four standing; three mounted) pose outside the large doors of a building in an unidentified town. Although none wears a badge, this group clearly means business. They wear large hats and chaps and several are armed; one stands with his finger on the trigger of a Spencer Carbine. A black cowboy and a Mexican cowboy are among the mounted members of this tough bunch.

A closer look at the cowboy with Spencer.

Deadeye Don · January 16, 2009, 06:29:42 AM

The guy holding the Spencer looks about 120lbs soaking wet. That was probably about the size of most cowboys back then not the plus sizes we see at alot of matches today.

Willie Dixon · January 17, 2009, 04:06:09 AM

poor guy probably got thrown back about 30 feet when he fired the thing! It is only a carbine!

Roscoe Coles · January 17, 2009, 09:43:09 PM

The other rifle in the 1st photo is worth another look. Its clearly a rifle, you can see the forearm cap and the barrel band, but if its a winchester it looks like a 1892 rifle. Its too small for an 1886 or a 1876, I can't make out a cartridge carrier or spring screws so you can't say its a 1873 and lastly, the bottom of the frame looks rounded, like the 1892. It could be something else of course, its hard to tell from the angle and magnification plus the photo is a little blurry in that spot, but if its a 92, its not an 1880s picture. Perhaps a little work with a proportional caliper might prove handy (use the know length of the Spencer to calculate the length of the other rifle and compare it against the overall length and distance between the toe and the forearm cap for the 1873 and the 1892, you could even tell if the barrel were shorter than standard by measuring the distance from the forearm cap to the end of the barrel.

Perhaps thats too complicated for the info gathered.

French Jack · January 18, 2009, 12:24:22 PM

I am thinking that the fellow on the right facing, with the rifle, is holding a Marlin. There is a hump where the lever pivot pin is, not quite the same look as a 92 Winchester. Possibly an 85 model.

red leg · January 18, 2009, 09:41:46 PM

Nice picture. From left to right the 4th and 5th cowboy looks like they are wearing bandannas over their city neck ties . What do you think ?

Bead Swinger · January 20, 2009, 11:05:23 AM

Hey Two Flints -
Now I know what sort of holster to make for my Russian this (or next) winter! Great Flik!

Two Flints · January 20, 2009, 12:13:46 PM

Bead Swinger,

This is what I have to carry my S&W Schofield...Slim Jim holsters from Old West Reproductions.

Two Flints

Willie Dixon · January 21, 2009, 05:53:21 PM

I'm not worthy! I'm not worthy! I'm scum, I'm scu-um!!! That looks amazing. Great rig. A Spencer and a Schofield, wow. just wow. would not want to go against that cowboy. It's like Maverick, he draws quick enough to end all fights! Yours is your weaponry!

Capt. Texas Elliot · January 21, 2009, 07:37:28 PM

I'm with Willie, fantastic set up.

If that was a twin hammer double barrel it would be my dream rig.

I love the Schofields and I love the Spencer. As finances permit this is what I want to set myself up with.

Two Flints · January 21, 2009, 07:46:30 PM

Thanks for the nice comments

At the top of the photo is my 12GA Spencer Shotgun, below it is my .45 Schofield Spencer, and two of my S&W .45 Schofields. All the leather work (with the exception of the SASS Badge Holder) was done by Rick Bachman of Old West Reproductions.

Two Flints

Willie Dixon · January 21, 2009, 07:50:53 PM

I thought that was a spencer shotgun! Nice!
I really like the look of my concept for my gear:
Stoeger sxs premium nickel and blue
Spencer Carbine
1858 Remington c&bs