Hi to all and request for info on my Spencer

Merle · December 17, 2013, 04:28:40 PM

Newbie to the group so please bear with me. Found this site by googling for info on the Spencer rifle and here we are.
My girlfriend/SO has had the rifle in her family since the Civil War, at least that is what she believes the story to be. It has been handed down to the oldest but now the oldest doesn't have any interest. So in the interest of knowledge I decided to try and get some info on the rifle. I can't say I know what info is needed so I just took some photos for all to look at. The photos are on Photobucket so hope this process will work for me.

If I need to provide more info please let me know.

Merle

Two Flints · December 17, 2013, 04:49:45 PM

Merle,

Not sure how strong your interest is but you might want to consider getting the Roy Marcot book, Spencer Repeating Firearms, considered the bible for SSS

Lots of photos and information especially on the M1865 Model which you have.

See this page from the Marcot book . . . it suggests that your Spencer Carbine was manufactured too late to be used in the Civil War. Read the page carefully, and especially the footnotes.

Two Flints

Merle · January 05, 2014, 12:38:01 PM

Thank you Two Flints for the book reference. I have purchased and the book does have a lot of info.

Another question, maybe a new thread:

Are there any dis-assembly/assembly instructions available for the carbine? I would like to take apart and clean it up but wanted to do the the proper way and not screw anything up.

Merle

Two Flints · January 05, 2014, 01:32:39 PM

Hi Merle,

Breaking down the Spencer is pretty straight forward. Really not too difficult at all. If you visit the SORI thread on SSS and have a bit of patience, there are several threads that will help you get started.

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,14075.0.html Scroll down to the section on Parts, Modifications and Repairs."

Especially look at the thread by Mike Moore (#21) and two videos he has produced.

If you have any specific questions, send me an Email to me at fsgrand2@fairpoint.net or post your questions in this thread you have already started and I'm sure a member of SSS will reply.

Two Flints

Merle · January 06, 2014, 03:43:50 PM

Great info on the SORI, should have looked before......

Have everything apart except for the trigger assy. Do I have to remove the stock to get at it or is it a separate unit? This has at least 100 or more years of "stuff" that needs to be cleaned and then oiled. Bore really looks in good shape, but that is relative to my gun experience.

Merle

Herbert · January 06, 2014, 07:03:44 PM

The trigger plate has to be taken out before the butt stock is removed,simply remove the cutt-off screw and the trigger plate screw and pull down,it will most likly be slitly glued in with old greese,woble the trigger from side to side genraly loosens it up enough for removal

KEN S · January 07, 2014, 06:22:15 AM

nice carbine, I have one too. BUT. REMEMBER. DO NOT SAND, CLEAN ETC. you will destroy the antique value. go slow, hand rub with linseed oil, let dry and then buff off with felt. that will protect the finish but not hurt it.
leave the metal alone. looks very sharp. I took mine apart, but usually don't advise it. wood chips....
if you get tired of it..I'll give you five bucks....ok....ten.....

I bought mine for $1400, but it was a really good deal. I saw two in a gun show for $2000 or so...and not as nice as yours. I'd value yours at that level at least....Ken

Merle · January 07, 2014, 09:13:08 AM

Thanks for the info guys. Managed to remove the trigger assy. Something tells me that it was in there for a long time.

Cleaning will be removing the old grease/grim very gently with a cloth/toot brush/cotton swab soaked in gun oil, etc. No scraping, sanding etc. there is some surface rust here and there that I need to get rid of. That is all in hidden areas fortunately.

Will post some photos once I get it cleaned up.

Merle

Jan Buchwald · January 07, 2014, 01:01:34 PM

A brass chisel, can be made, by flattening a rifle cartridge, is a good instrument to remove loose rust, without further damange.

Merle · January 07, 2014, 03:03:08 PM

The cleanup job came out great. The lever action is now SMOOTH!!! What a difference from the first time. The barrel was really dirty and that took a lot of patches to get it back.

Decided against new photos as there isn't much difference in outward appearance but the inside is 1000% improved.

All parts are original from what I can tell. The numbers match on receiver and barrel. My SO wants to get sell it so if there is anyone in FL, or going thru the Tampa area (we are in Spring Hill) and wants to check it out please let me know.

I don't have any other Spencer to compare it with but I would consider this to be in very good to excellent condition.

Thanks to all for the advice. Great forum.....

Merle

Sir Charles deMouton-Black · January 07, 2014, 03:08:15 PM

Merle; Are you sure that there is no interest in that fine piece within your family?

Merle · January 07, 2014, 04:35:46 PM

It has gone down through the family until now. It was supposed to go to the first child in each generation but this time it was made clear that there is no interest from the children thus my SO stated she is going to sell it. Guess that solves that problem/issue.

Merle

Sir Charles deMouton-Black · January 07, 2014, 05:36:38 PM

A shame

Trailrider · January 08, 2014, 01:55:08 PM

The stamping on the stock, near the butt is intriging! DX11. The M1865 Spencers were issued to Regular cavalry units on the frontier. They were also issued to some state militia units. Since there was no 11th Cavalry in the regular Army, I would guess the 11 either refers to a state militia, or might be a rack number. The D probably stands for D Company. I would guess the "X" is really a substitute for crossed sabers, symbol of a cavalry unit. Nice piece. Too bad no one in the family cares about it. Of course, nobody really owns these antiques; they are merely held in trust by each "owner" for future generations. I wish I could afford it.

Blair · January 08, 2014, 02:13:09 PM

Merle,

Just curious, what is the "expected" asking price from your SO?
My best,
Blair

Merle · January 08, 2014, 04:57:13 PM

Blair,

She is asking $2700.00. Now is that good or bad?, don't know.... That depends on the buyer and their satisfaction with the quality. The family history is Connecticut or possibly Mass. I have not yet been able to trace the family back through the Civil War, still working that issue to determine if any info pops up.

Merle

Blair · January 09, 2014, 09:43:51 AM

Merle,

"good or bad?" is really quit subjective. While I may consider it high, another individual may not think so.
I just thought if it was going to be sold, an asking price should be listed.

Your Carbine is a low serial #'ed 1865 Model and is not generally associated with Civil War issue/usage. It does, however, have two inspector cartouches on it which shows it was US Government purchased and accepted.
Your Carbine appears to be in rather nice overall condition. It may have been turned over to a State Unit and kept in the State Armory.
This may also account for the markings stamped into the butt stock. Problem is there was no standard for these marks and maybe very difficult to find information about them.
I hope this information helps.
My best,
Blair

Herbert · January 09, 2014, 02:24:21 PM

With the serial number stamped on this carbine and the solid cutt-off this carbine has been repaired by Sprinfield between 1866 and 1874(can not read the cartouche)It most likly saw service after the civil war and was returned to Springfielf for repairs then put into stores and sold off as surplas in on of the large sales of arms,from there it could have ended up any were though the majority of these were sent to France,Bannams bought a lot of these back to the US in the 1890s ,Sears had them for sale with 100 rounds of amo for $3.50 in there catologeat this time