33 Spencers For Sale @ Maryland Antique Collectible Arms Show 3/20/16

[Walksfire]

Howdy all.   . I got an email from S&S firearms that they would be at the Maryland Antique Collectible Arms Show (MACAS) show in Timonium MD this weekend. So last minute planning, and it being Palm Sunday, I got to see the end of the show, which seemed well attended. There were hundreds of Civil War, Revolutionary war and Militaria dealers in Cow Palace at the MD fairgrounds. I counted a total of 33 Spencer's for sale. 3 were rifles. 1 was a 2 band conversion of a 1865 Burnside.

The prices ranged from $1900 for a wall hanger Burnside to $9000 for an 1860 with a history. the average cost for a Spencer was about $2400. This expensive carbine had artwork done with small nails in the stock on both sides. On the left side was an Eagle and Company H, all done in small nails. On the right side it said "2d Iowa V.V. Cavalry". The dealer had the complete history of who owned it in the civil war, what battles it was used in, and then the soldiers history as he went on to fight the Indian wars out west.

The nicest one there was an 1860 that a dealer wanted $6000 for. He was really proud of it. He showed me how bright the 6 rifling was. How there was so much original bluing was on the barrel and breechblock. It actually looked like someone had polished the metal and had re-blued the barrel. It was in the 56,000 serial range.

Another nice 1860 Carbine with the lowest serial number I have ever seen in person (11,586) was going for $4,500.  

I was like a kid in a candy store looking at all the history and hearing the stories from the dealers. I was impressed with all the spare parts that S&S brought. I could have made a Spencer on the spot if I only had a frame and barrel.





                                        (Photos Posted by Two Flints)