May 28 & 29, 2020 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/28/2020
Manufactured 1864 through 1868 with a very limited production of approximately 1800 units the Sporting Spencer rifle is rarely encountered. This example, serial number 285, with serial number found off-set to left of ladder type sporting rear sight and bottom of barrel is chambered for the .56-46 Bottleneck cartridge. Two piece varnished American walnut stocks with pewter forend tip. Assembly number 158 is found on barrel, leveler, bolt assembly and rear of forearm. Top flat of receiver is marked "Spencer Repeating Arms Company Boston Mass, Pat'd March 6 1860". Finished with blue receiver and blue finish barrel. These sporting rifles are infrequently found in fine condition as they ended up being hard used during our period of Westward expansion post-Civil War. CONDITION: Very fine with the barrel retaining bountiful amounts of factory blue finish with balance turning brown patina. The receiver has turned a peppered dove grey as most all case colors are silvered out. The nicely figured walnut stocks retain most of the varnish finish and remain very fine with a very small area of material loss at left side of wrist from use. The bore is very good with sharp rifling with a small trace of pitting in lands. The original sights are very fine and have suffered no distress. The action is crisp and properly functioning. A very fine example of a very uncommon American sporting rifle. TDW
Caliber/Bore
.56-46 Spencer