Dad's Spencer 1865 Updated photos

[Heep1865]

Hello,

I have recently inherited my Dad's  Spencer rifle. He's had it for as long as I can remember (I'm 51) and I never saw him fire it.
I am attaching pictures and would like to know if the rifle is safe to shoot or since its so old shooting might not be a good idea. I don't want to damage it in any way.

I have no history on the rifle but I remember Dad telling me that the 'X' carved in the stock represented 10 soldiers killed by its owner. Don't know if thats true or not but it sure sparked my imagination as a kid!

If anyone could shed some light on this rifle I would appreciate it. It is a Spencer Repeating Rifle model 1865 and manufactured by Burnside Rifle Co. serial number 31375. My dad was born in up state New York. Pictures at below link:

http://mud-pig.smugmug.com/Other/Spencer-Civil-War-Rifle/24776833_sWqdkR#!i=2027584278&k=qvDbhpj

Thanks... Heep1865

[Two Flints]

Hi Heep,



Perhaps, your Burnside Spencer was just sold to the civilian market, or maybe made its way to Canada, or went overseas.  No records exist for who it was sold to, or where it went.


Heap, do a search on this site SSS - just type in Burnside Spencer and see what info you get that may be of use to you.

Two Flints

[Heep1865]

Two Flints....

Thank you very much for that information... I like my Dad's version better (lol). I guess I'll start researching about the ammunition and get it checked out at a gun shop to see if it is safe to shoot. Since I'm not a firearms collector, I am probably going to sell it to someone that can use/show this rifle more than I could. I have no immediate family to pass it along to.

Thank you again .... Heep1865

P.S.
I'll be watching this site... There is some very interested reading here, I like it.