Need Info on my New Original Spencer Carbine *** Photos Added ***

[JoeReb]

Hello Two Flints and all the rest of the SSS Posse,

I'm a new member of the SSS and would like to say that I am glad that there is a forum like this one to discuss such a revered and history making weapon.  They don't make'm like they ust'a.  I found my M1985 Spencer Carbine in a local pawn shop as part of the owner's personal collection, collecting dust alongside a couple of Henrys and LC Smith shotguns.  When I spotted it, my heart began to pound and I asked: "is that what I think it is".  The owner said "that's a Spencer."  I held it in my hands and immediately, regardless of price, I had to have it.  He said it was "shootable".  I have already given Two Flints the particulars on her, but I'll throw them out there case anyone has anything to add...as I said it is a M1865 Carbine, Boston made, .50 Cal.  The barrel has six twists, and it is equipped with the type 1 Stabler cut-off.  The serial number is 13006-, I have found no cartouches anywhere.  I would imagine it is late CW or after probably a cavalry rifle because it has the saddle ring also.






                                                 (Photos added by Two Flints)

Thanks in advance for any info, and I am excited to be a new member of SSS and looking forward to learning from the "old" Spencer hands

Joe Spencer (Joe Reb)

[Two Flints]

Hi JoeReb,

Wish you had replied to my Email or PM regarding joining SSS

Maybe the following info extracted from the "bible" Marcot's book will be of some help and your M-1865 Spencer, until our Spencer experts have more to offer.





Two Flints

[Herbert]

the absence of a cartouch segests if it is not worn off it one of the 4000 that was not sold to the US,2000 were sold to Canadia and some have W^D British marks ither on the right side of the butstock or on the barell ,it is not clear weather this is the Canadian ones(I think not as it is a uncomon mark)or British trials carbines that were later sold or isued to colonial departments(the most lickly explination as I have one so marked as well as NSW policeon it,also at the time suplas carbines had not come on to the market so geting ride of 2000 carbines would not have been a problem in 1866,it became harder after that as lots of cartrige guns new and old came on the market

[JoeReb]

Thank You Herbert for the info,

It is exiting to find the history behind the gun  When you say NSW Policeon, are you talking about the guns sold to France?  As far as the cartouches the buttstock does not seem to show signs of excessive wear but who knows what has happened since the gun was made.  It does show signs of light sanding scratches on most of the buttstock, mostly worn now, but is it possible the buttstock was replaced?  Did they hand make the stocks?  Would it have been too much trouble to replace it in those days?  To me, it looks original.   Also, knowing what I do know, what would something like this go for (price range)?

R/

JoeReb    (and thanks to Two Flints for help with the pics!)

[Herbert]

NSW was a British colony in Australia,the W^D is a British ordance stamp,stamped on all wepons acepted by Britian,your sirial number is in the early part of the 1865 contract just wen the company found out they could not sell any more to the US goverment so they were looking about for other large orders,this is when the Canaidians wanted Spencers fast to stop a expected invaisian from the US by Irish Faibians

[JoeReb]

Thanks again Herbert for the education.  I would love to know how it ended up in a pawn shop in Florida?

R/

JoeReb