Buffalo Spencer

[SpencerSporter]

Hello all,

      Just thought I'd post a picture of the latest member of the family. Who says Spencers didn't make good buffalo rifles? Especially when built on a Carbine used by 3rd Iowa Volunteer Cavalry.


Mike

[Harve Curry]

One of a kind , nice old Spencer. When I clicked on the jpg link I was able to edit the picture and see it clearly. So how long is that octagon barrel, looks heavy.? Is it a 56-50?
, Bill

[Bead Swinger]

Also - why did they make the barrel that heavy?  Would it improve the stability/accuracy?

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[SpencerSporter]

I'm going to try for some better pics later today. The barrel is a modified muzzle loader barrel. I'll get back with all the dimensions when I get the photos taken. Previous owner says 56-52 on the caliber, but I cast the camber and find out for sure. It feels great in the hand and probably sat well on the cross sticks.

As to why the barrel is so heavy, the first answer is probably thats the barrel the smith had around. 2nd was hopefully it would give the gun a boost in accuracy and also the ability to shoot more before it had to be set down to cool off. Finally a lever action Spencer like this with a barrel this heavy on a set of cross sticks could be worked quite quickly putting a lot of lead down range in a hurry. If the hunter had a few blakeslee tubes, or perhaps a few whole boxes picked up from his ex-cavalry buddies I could see this been a very effective Buffalo hunter. Empty the mag down range, roll it over on the sticks, reload, empty, repeat.

[Harve Curry]

I'd venture to say that you would have keep your shots at 100 yards maximum when shooting buffalo with a Spencer. The report of a Spencer is not that loud and iwith favorable conditions you could probably work a herd of buffalo with a Spencer. I have noticed that game doesnt spook and run with muzzloaders, or old cartridge guns, they way they do when a high powered modern rifle goes off.

[Mossyrock]

This looks similar to a Spencer I saw at a gunshow in Puyallup, WA about a year ago.

I think a Taylor 56-50 with a 24" octagon barrel and pewter fore end cap would be great!