Billings-Spencer Single Shot 12 ga Shotgun

[Two Flints]

This is a rare Billings-Spencer single shot 12ga. shotgun. After the civil war Spencer became Billings-Spencer, then just Billings( tool makers) This 1867 to 1870's shotgun has no markings, or numbers. This is the second one I've had in thirty years. Very few were made. Has some flaking on the nickled receiver, barrel is full blue with surface corrosion from storage. Bore will clean to good to very good. Wood very solid black walnut , no breaks. splits, or repairs. Action works like the trap door rifle, by pulling back the knob and lifting the breech! Current GunsAmerica Ad.

[Arizona Trooper]

That's really strange. The actual company name was Billings & Spencer. They subcontracted forgings for many other gun companies and made the Roper repeating Shotguns, but I've never heard of a gun marked Billings-Spencer. In addition, I've never seen a Spencer patent anything close to that. It looks really ponderous to operate, which was something Spencer would have never allowed. It might be a Sylvester Roper design. The forestock does look like a Spencer sporter. Would be interesting to do some more research on it, especially a patent search.

[Two Flints]

Arizona Trooper,

I asked for more photos from the seller on GA but he said he was too busy to send them to me at the time of this posting.  I don't think he will send any more.  If he does I will post them and hope for some more detailed photos of his Billings-Spencer Shotgun.

These two pages are from the Marcot book:





Two Flints