Original unconverted Spencer

[Four-Eyed Buck]

Ran into a gentleman at the barbershop today that has an original Spencer still set up for rimfire. He said .52 caliber, but I believe he's wrong on that point. Sounds like he's considering selling it, he deals in Winchesters and watches. Have contact info if there's any interest.........Buck

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Howdy,

The original 56-56 civil war guns were also called .52 caliber, as that was the diameter of the bore inside the lands.  They usually slug out at .535 to .54 in the grooves (the two I have owned).

The 56-56 was originally called the number 56, based on the case diameter of .56, I believe.  It was not until after the .56-50 came out that the started refering to theee Civil War ones as 56-56 if I remember right from Marcot's book.

[Drydock]

One of the postwar chamberings was .52-56, actualy an outside lubed version of the .50-56, as C.M. Spencer did not trust inside lubed rounds for some reason.

[Four-Eyed Buck]

Okay, clears some of the fog. Now, what is a good price on an unconverted one? Don't know what he wants for this one, but can find out. Know that condition rules, just wondering about ball park..........Buck

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Howdy,

An average original goes from $1500 to $2000.  Nice ones get $2500 and up.