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Very Fine Spencer Repeating Sporting Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Long Guns - Rifles Start Price:3,250.00 USD Estimated At:6,500.00 - 9,000.00 USD
Very Fine Spencer Repeating Sporting Rifle
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Very Fine Spencer Repeating Sporting Rifle

Very few sporting rifles were manufactured by Spencer and educated estimates put total production well under a few thousand. The action first went into production in 1860 and as soon as the Civil War started all of the machinery and manpower was devoted to turning out rifles and carbines for the Civil War (of historical note, sporting rifles manufactured during the Civil War were for presentation, the most famous being Gideon Welles). Post Civil War Sporting rifles such as this one were manufactured circa 1870-1875 using surplus military carbine receivers. The top of the receiver is marked "SPENCER REPEATING/RIFLE CO. BOSTON MASS./PAT'D MARCH 6, 1860." and the serial number appears on the top rear of the receiver next to the hammer. Blade front sight and folding leaf rear sight graduated to 800 yards. Mounted with a smooth walnut forearm with pewter forend and straight grip stock with Spencer steel buttplate.

Manufacture: Spencer
Model: Sporting
BBL: 32 inch octagon
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 45
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: 34198

Very fine. The barrel retains 75% plus original thinning blue finish fading to a smooth plum and showing edge wear. The remaining parts retain 70% original vivid case colors, with areas fading to gray. The wood is also excellent with overall crazing on the stock and some light crazing on the forward portion of the forearm. Overall there are some scattered minor dents and dings. The markings are clear. The action is excellent.