approved/disapproved list

[John Smith]

Revolvers:  Any original or reproduction produced 1836-1865 i.e. Colt Patterson, Walker, Dragoon, Navy and Pocket Pistols.  Remington Army, Navy, New Army, and New Navy.  S&W #1 or #1 ½.  Reproduction Confederate brass framed Navy’s of 36 cal only.  Pepper Boxes as long as they conform to the basic style of original production.


Since the Rogers & Spencer was produced in the 1836-1865 time frame why is it on the disapproved list?

[Caleb Hobbs]

Howdy, John:

I just pulled this information off the Internet, but I know it's been covered before on other forums. In a nutshell, the Rogers and Spencer wasn't released until after our 1840-1865 time frame.

Best,
Caleb


The Rogers & Spencer Percussion Revolver was originally manufactured in Willowvale, NY about 1863-65. In January 1865, the United States government contracted with Rogers & Spencer for 5,000 of the solid frame pistols. Delivery on the contract was made too late for war service, and the entire lot was sold as scrap to Francis Bannerman and Son in 1901. Bannerman then sold the pistols throughout the first quarter of the 20th Century. Many original Rogers & Spencer revolvers are seen today in excellent, near mint condition.

[John Smith]

Perhaps, but it was "produced" during the time frame, perhaps you should reword your criteria as to revolvers.  Perhaps "common usage" would be better.

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[Tascosa Joe]

The 5000 Rogers and Spencer Revolvers were ordered by the Govt.  They were delievered in late 1865 and put into storage, where they sat until Bannerman's bought them about 1900 and sold them to the general public.   

[Trap]

  Didn't Lyman make a hawken style, May have called it the Plains Rifle, that is a pretty close repro? don't have one but I know some who do. Not really clear if it is approved or not.  ??

[Tascosa Joe]

Trap:
The Lyman Great Plains Rifle has a close enough resemblance to a period Plains Rifle that it is approved.
T-Joe

[wolflobo76]

Just received my Plains Rifle  and pistol from Lyman today. Both are .54 cal . The Plains Rifle seems to have the rugged looks and style of the times. So does the Pistol. They make a good pair, just like my Walker Colt  and Spencer Carbine.The rifle came with 2 different rear sights, A buckhorn and a primitive .

[Drayton Calhoun]

How about a Cabela's Powder River Rifle? It looks similar to a CVA Big Bore Mountain Rifle...

[Caleb Hobbs]

Drayton:

I couldn't find a photo anywhere of a Powder River rifle. Cabela's had a Missouri River Hawkens on their site. Is that the one you're talking about? If not, could you furnish either a photo or a link to a photo? Thanks!

Caleb

[Drayton Calhoun]

It was only available for a couple of years. Sorry about the pic quality, I have a much better camera now. I also have an old Cook and Brother Carbine which should work as well.

[Drayton Calhoun]

I also have a highly modified CVA Kentucky...

[Caleb Hobbs]

I can't see the Kentucky rifle well enough to make a call, but I'd say the Powder River rifle is fine. The Cook and Brothers carbine should be fine, too, unless some Civil War buff (which I'm not) knows a reason it shouldn't be included.

Drayton, are you going to make it up to Kansas this year for the Plainsmen encampment and shoot?

[TwoWalks Baldridge]

Howdy, John:

I just pulled this information off the Internet, but I know it's been covered before on other forums. In a nutshell, the Rogers and Spencer wasn't released until after our 1840-1865 time frame.

Best,
Caleb


The Rogers & Spencer Percussion Revolver was originally manufactured in Willowvale, NY about 1863-65. In January 1865, the United States government contracted with Rogers & Spencer for 5,000 of the solid frame pistols. Delivery on the contract was made too late for war service, and the entire lot was sold as scrap to Francis Bannerman and Son in 1901. Bannerman then sold the pistols throughout the first quarter of the 20th Century. Many original Rogers & Spencer revolvers are seen today in excellent, near mint condition.

Caleb, I am confused by this call ... Your quote from the net says that the R&S was in production from 1863 so it would fit the time period.  The Government then ordered some in 1865 that did not arrive in time for the war. Did Rogers & Spencer not sell any between 1863 and 1865?

[Durango Flinthart]

The U.S. Ordnance Dept. bought the entire contract run of R&S revolvers, none were scheduled to go to the civilian market. R&S could not fill the order until late in the war so weapons were never issued and the  complete run of revolvers stayed in ordnance stores until sold to Bannerman's in 1901. This is why when original R&S revolvers are encountered today most are in very good shape.

Watch your topknot  

[Caleb Hobbs]

Correct. My understanding is that they began manufacturing the revolver in 1863, delivered them to the Union in 1865, where, because of the war's end, they were placed in storage until until the turn of the century.

[Caleb Hobbs]

I must have posted this just as Durango posted his response -- and did a much better job explaining the situation. Thanks, Durango.

[TwoWalks Baldridge]

Thanks Durango and Caleb, now I am not so confused ... at least on issue of life. 

[Drayton Calhoun]

I can't see the Kentucky rifle well enough to make a call, but I'd say the Powder River rifle is fine. The Cook and Brothers carbine should be fine, too, unless some Civil War buff (which I'm not) knows a reason it shouldn't be included.

Drayton, are you going to make it up to Kansas this year for the Plainsmen encampment and shoot?

Wish I could, but, no, I won't be able to. I'll try to get a better pic of the Kentucky