Spencer in re-enacting

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Even though I have to carry a Sharps, I spent considerable time cogitating on the best way to go with a Spencer re-enacting. I shot about 200 rounds in two days (4 battles) from my sharps.  Those consisted of 70 grains of FFFG Goex in a curler paper "combustable cartridges"  If it wasn't for Goex being high in CA, it would be cheap.

The Armi Sport Spencer is basically the best game in town for re-enacting.  Why beat up an original!

The  56-50 would be a pain, as blanks would either have to be the disposable plastic at $1 each or brass blanks from .348 winchester brass (but those would be expensive, too).   That would mean walking back to the battlefield to retrieve as many as possible would be necessary.

A 44-40 Spencer would be better, as Black Hills has fairly inexpensive 5 in 1 brass blanks.  It would not kill you to loose a few of those. 

A 44 Russian with crimped 44 mag brass blanks like Joe Bilby makes would be fairly cheap also.  Unfortunately, Armi Sport is discontinuing .44 Russian in favor of the 44-40.

In closing, there were no Spencers at the battle this weekend.  Alll cavalry were using sharps carbines, except one Confederate had a percussion double shotgun, cut down.  That was correct, as the Confederates liked short shotguns an as many as 6 pistols for their raiders and cavalry scouts.  When not using them to scout, the North tended to use their Cavalry dismounted, almost like mobile infantry.

[major]

TUOLUMNE
Did you ever read my article on reenacting with a
Spencer?  You can find it at http://www.9thnycavalry.webeditor.com/spencer_article.html
Terry

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Howdy Pard,

No I haven't.  Thanks.  I have read your Henry article, though<g>

[Major 2]

I did my first Living History event in 1975 some 28 years of mounted Cavalry. I used a Henry in the 1985 Saylor Creeks event, again in the Land o Lakes Tactical in ILL. and at Louden Tenn.
I used my original Spencer just twice at the 115th Gettysburg SVR event and Olustee, Fla. one year.
I too normally carried a Sharps ( either a Garrett or an Original ) most of those years.
I did not get my replica Spencer until after I retired from active eventing in 03, To bad....The later war events would have been perfect for a Spencer.

Mostly Federal impressions , we ( that is the unit I commanded 2nd Florida Cavalry Inc.) also portrayed Confederate Cavalry when asked.
Multiple pistols yes, But we never allowed Sawed-off Shotguns for safety reasons.

[Steel-eye Steve]

.44 Mag cases can be used in the .45 S&W Spencer also.

[major]

STEEL-EYE
Yes, you are correct.  I provided some 44 Mag. blanks to a reenactor with a 45 Schofield model last year.  He used them for two days and told me they worked great.
Terry

[Judge Roy Bean]

Hi, iam a new member from the u.k.& own a spencer carbine in 44.russian.I saw your post on making blank ammo & it is great,been  trying to make some for ages,Major i have all the dies needed bar the shoulder forming one & am unable to find it in the u.k.Could you please tell me what make # or is it avalable on line/web address. thank you.

[major]

Les
I am glad to hear that someone else is using a 44 Russian Spencer for Reenacting.  I wrote an article about using one a few years back and it is still available on line at: http://www.9thnycavalry.webeditor.com/spencer_article.html
If you haven't read it yet you might enjoy it.
I have the shoulder forming dies available they are $45 US + shipping.  I don't know what the shipping to the UK would be but I can find out if you are still interested.
How did you get it to chamber without shoulder forming the 44 Mag. brass? 
If you want to contact me direct my e-mail is availabe at the button on the left.

Terry

[Judge Roy Bean]

A BIG HOWDY to all on this wonderfull site,Major i have been making blanks from cutting down the black plastic 5in1;s from River Junction & reload & reseal.I havent had an luck with brass not having the aboved die.So i would be interested in a shoulder forming die.

[major]

Les
Using brass will speed up the loading process and brass costs less than those plastic 5 in 1 blanks so your cost per bang will go down.
Sent you an e-mail for the details.
Terry