3279

Spencer Sporting Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,300.00 USD Estimated At:2,500.00 - 3,750.00 USD
Spencer Sporting Rifle
This is an example of a Spencer Sporting Rifle manufactured by the Spencer Repeating Rifle Co., of Boston Massachusetts. The rifle has a round, 30-inch, blued, barrel chambered for the bottle-neck, .44 caliber, 56-46 cartridge. The barrel has a round, ivory, front sight mounted on a dovetailed base at the muzzle and a military style, folding leaf, rear sight. The receiver, hammer, lever and buttplate have a casehardened finish. The stock and forearm are oil-finished walnut and the forearm has a pewter tip. The top of the receiver is roll-stamped with the three-line legend: "SPENCER REPEATING/RIFLE CO. BOSTON MASS./PAT'D. MARCH 6. 1860." The serial number, "663" is off-set to the left side of the receiver. The Spencer Rifle Co., manufactured approximately 1,700 sporting rifles. Sales of Spencer Sporting Rifles were limited by the inability of the rifles to accept the more powerful hunting cartridges that gained popularity after the Civil War.
BBL: 30 inch
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 56-46
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: 663


Fine. The rifle retains approximately 70% of the original blue finish on the barrel. The receiver has been cleaned and the casehardened receiver, hammer and lever have a mottled silver patina. The buttplate has a dark gray patina with scattered age discoloration. The serial number and receiver markings are crisp. The stock and forearm are also in fine condition with moderate handling wear. This is a solid example of a desirable Spencer Sporting Rifle.