OK, OK, OK, O   

Bob:

I'M without doubt the most vocal advocate of annealing on the forum.  I am THE jump up and down Champion.  Bar None.  Except for Handguns (different thread).

Back to the Spencer.  I don't own nor shoot a Spencer.  Butt.  Itza Rifle.  If you have the slightest amount of Blow-By, you need to Anneal your cases so they seal the chamber and the Rifle will shoot cleaner.  If you're shooting Fire-Form'd cases, you need to anneal, the cases will last lotz longer.  If you're splitting the case mouth, you need to anneal.

Now Here Be The Deal BOB!!  YOU answered your own questions in your own post about your results with 45-70 cases and 38-55 cases.  Stopped your Blow-By cold.  Bet you don't split cases enough you don't notice you don't split cases. 

Your Method of Annealing works just fine.  I also use a cordless drill motor with the right size socket on the end and prop. torch.  Works a treat.  Not only that, but you can use the cordless drill motor for all sorts of other things, like drilling, screw driving, polishing, etc.  Just keep what yer already doing.

Remembering of course, People ARE Hazardous to Yer Health!!

The grips are "'magnatusk" from Arizona Custom Grips on ebay.

The 1860 Richards and R-M's are identical except for the barrel and ejector assemblies (except the ones in .38 as noted above).  The R-M barrels are similar to the '51 R-M except being round.

You would't happen to have a side by side photo for comparison showing the differences in the Richards and Richards Mason would you? What about the barrel is shaped differently?

Am I correct in that the ejector rod sticks out a little more on the Richards than does on the RM?

Well, I finally got around to calling Winchester today and was informed my 1886 was a special run for Davidsons back in 2008. The lady also told me they often have calls for individuals looking to purchase one of these rifles and that I was fortunate to have found one.

I didn't know what that was so googled and first thing that came up was you looking for some on another forum last year. 

Cool guns.  Good luck!

I've had that Adco super thumb for over 20 years.  I know there are some other nicer ones.  The 1911 mags I usually just reload by hand at a match, and just use the Adco when loading all at once before a match.  For my .45 and 9mm Glocks I use the one that came with them.  Back then with the 10 round mag limit it was near impossible to get that tenth round in without some help!