Factory Engraved Spencer Model 1884 12 GA Pump Shotgun 1884-1886 Antique
SOLD FOR: $3,195.00
LSB#: 241110LSB007.1
Make: Spencer Arms Co.
Model: 1884
Serial Number: 584
Year of Manufacture: ca. 1884 – 1886
Caliber: 12 Gauge, 2 1/2” Chamber. This shotgun was designed for black powder cartridges and modern shells are strongly discouraged.
Action Type: Pump Action, Tube Magazine Fed Shotgun
Barrel Length: 30”
Choke: Improved Modified, Fixed.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a metal bead at the muzzle of the barrel. There is no rear sight, but a groove is present for better sight picture.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a checkered two piece walnut with a small forend, pistol grip, straight comb and checkered hard rubber butt plate. The checkering is defined, with some smoothing. The wood shows scratches, and scrapes from handling and storage. The buttstock has some cracks. The LOP measures 13.75” from the front of the trigger to the back of the butt plate. The stocks rate in about very good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Damascus / Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright. There is no notable erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion and for the age, this bore rates a 8 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 75% of its metal finish. The metal shows light dings and scratches. Notably on the barrel just above the magazine tube there are two hard scratches. The barrel shows light dings at the muzzle. The barrel shows expected thinning in some areas and action wear on the magazine tube. The receiver has lost the majority of the case color except for a small area on the left, bottom and in more well protected areas. The rest of the areas show a brown patina. The bright blue color on the arms of the action are very bright and pleasing to the eye. The screw heads are tool marked with useable slots. The markings and engravings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good Plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this firearm. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: Most famous for the Spencer Carbine, one of the few repeating rifles to serve in the US Civil War, Christopher Spencer was a prolific inventor and designer producing a sewing machine, horseless carriage and the first pump-action shotgun in 1884. Minor tweaks produced models 1886 and 1887, with both models being tested and approved by the Ordnance Department and a total of 354 shotguns purchased by them for guarding prisoners. However, this did not spur commercial sales and in 1890, the tools and machinery were purchased by Francis Bannerman who continued to produce and develop the design. This shotgun has a very interesting history, tied back to the very first pump-action shotgun produced. This is the Model 1884, a very interesting shotgun with a top-ejection system with the firing pin mounted in the lifter rather than on a separate bolt as we are now used to seeing. This shotgun was marketed as a higher end grade from Spencer as it shows a 30” damascus barrel, walnut stock and engravings with a duck hunter motif on the left side of the receiver. To note, the Ultra Deluxe custom model was ordered by Mexican president Porfirio Diaz which was serial number 280. This shotgun is in about Very Good plus as an antique.
