Comparison of Spencer makers

[Harve Curry]

The only Spencer I have really handled is the one original 1865 carbine I have. So I cannot personally compare.
I see on Romano's web site he still list his Spencer, even though I've read that he does'nt make them anymore. They are listed at $4500.

An Italian copy is $800-$1200. No matter the importer they are all Uberti made, right?

I would guess that a Romano is completely interchangeable with an original Spencer. Even bullet size of a 56-50 being a .520" ?  Nothing metric. Not withstanding some hand fitting as would an original. Anyone here had or have a Romano Spencer?

[major]

Harve
The Italian maker of the Spencer is Armisport not Uberti and they do a pretty good job.  The Romano Spencers are definitely a high quality product but I have to wonder if they are worth the price difference?  I have one of the Armisport Spencers in 44-40 and I am very happy with it and it performed great all last summer.
I suspect that the Romano Spencers have American threads but I don't know how interchangeable the parts would be with originals.  I know that the Romano ones use the same brass that an original can use, but the Armisport ones require the brass made especially for them.  Because of the price difference I got the Armisport one.  But your mileage may vary.
Terry

[Harve Curry]

Terry,
Thanks. Armisport is the maker. 
Would a breach block from a Armisport fit a original with some fitting? Or not possible.
,Bill W

[Two Flints]

Spencer Owners,

I hope this thread does not lead to any "nasty" discussions regarding who makes Spencers and which one is better and why.  Let's not let this discussion get out of hand, please, otherwise I will step in and "moderate"  .  

I've always toyed with the ideas of getting one of the Romano Spencer "single-shot" versions, but the cost has always been out of reach for me.  Once I came very close to buying a used Romano Spencer repeater, but again, the price was just too much for me.  If price is not a factor for you, you might very well consider the Romano Spencer, but for most of us the lower priced Armi Sport or even an original Spencer is the way to go.

Two Flints

[Harve Curry]

Goodmorning Two Flints,
Furthest thing from my mind is a nasty discussion. I had no idea of that or that prices had climbed so high. I'd have ta  almost steal one or it's outa my reach to or sell my original, and even then.............
Have a good day in the cold country 
regards,
Bill W

[Two Flints]

Harve,

This past summer, I had two original Spencers to "play" with, so I tried to interchange parts between them and discovered that they weren't interchangeable.  So, I'm going to say that I don't think an Armi Sport Breech Block would work as is in an original, but might with some "fitting".  That's an experiment I have planned for this coming summer when I get back to Maine from Massachusetts.  Hope someone who has tried "Repro to original part exchanges" will chime in here and discuss their findings.

Great discussion has been started with this thread. I just want to keep it as a discussion and not sniping between our members.

Two Flints

[Deadeye Don]

I have the Armi sport in 56-50 and love it.   It is in my top 2 favorite carbines/rifles I own.  I thought the questions posed by Harve and the response by  Major were quite civil and detected no hint of "sniping".   Thanks for starting this thread Harve.

Regards.  Deadeye.

[Appalachian Ed]

I have a Romano Rifle  and an Original carbine. The Romano is Top shelf, hand made, and all parts interchange. Barrel is a Douglas, All case color is by Turnbull, Wood is American Black Walnut, All screws are properly hardened and american thread. No soft metal, all machined, and hand fit. Any one who has a USFA, C. Sharps, Shiloh, Lone Star, etc. knows what a hand made US custom gun is all about. Hence the cost and wait.

[major]

Bill
As far as interchangeable parts between the Armisport and originals is concerned.  I doubt very much if it would be practical.  Of course anything can be done with enough time, money and machinery.  But the Armisport is a copy of the 1865 version and most originals are the 1860 version.  Also Armisport has the Lane extractor and the original 1860 versions have the blade extractors.  Replacement "original" breach blocks are available from S & S and Lodgewood so if you need one I would go there.

TF
I hope you didn't think I was getting nasty, it was the furthest thing from my mind.  Just trying to pass along some information.
Terry

[Harve Curry]

Were the Spencer's made by Burnside interchangeable? I know the recievers were a slightly different contour.
I've never seen a Spencer made by Burnside, just in books.
, Bill W