Taylor’s & Co Armi-Sport Model 1865 Spencer Rifle .56-50 Lever-Action Rifle
SOLD FOR: $1275
LSB#: 210907BW50
Make: Armi-Sport imported by Taylor’s Co. Inc.
Model: Model 1865 Spencer Rifle
Serial#: M1637
Year of Manufacture: 2006, Italian date code “CA”
Caliber: .56-50 Spencer
Action Type: Lever-Action Rotating Breech-Block Repeating Rifle with Butt-Stock Loaded Tubular Magazine
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “TAYLOR’S & CO. INC. / -WINCHESTER-VA.-”, “(AC)” and “ARMI SPORT / ITALY CAL. 56/50 SPENCER”. The left side of the barrel features the serial number “M1637”. The receiver features Italian proofs including the date code “CA” and the serial number.
Barrel Length: 30”
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a blade that is fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a ladder sight with a fixed V-notch in the down position and a V-notch slider in the up position. The ladder is marked 2-9, inclusive, and there is a fixed V-notch at the top of the ladder.
Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The stocks are two-piece smooth wood featuring a forend with three barrel bands and their springs. The center barrel has a sling swivel on the bottom. There is also a straight wrist, straight comb, sling swivel on the belly and a metal buttplate with a slot for the tubular magazine. The stocks have some light handling marks, scratches and nicks. Otherwise the stocks lack any notable defects. The LOP is 13” from the trigger to the rear end of the buttplate. The buttplate has some light handling marks. Overall, the stocks are in Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blue and Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: The rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish. There are some light handling marks but the metal parts of the rifle lack any notable defects. The markings remain clear. The screwheads are serviceable. Overall, the rifle is in Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box Paperwork and Accessories: There is a saddle ring fixed to a bar on the left side of the receiver.
Our Assessment: This Armi-Sport replica M1865 Spencer Rifle is a lever-action rotating breech-block repeating rifle with a butt-stock loaded magazine chambered for .56-50 Spencer rounds. The original Spencer rifles played a major role in the battle of Gettysburg where troops under the command of General George Armstrong Custer employed them to devastating effect. The rifles provided Federal forces with a decisive firepower advantage, and the Confederate military was unable to reverse engineer their own due to material shortages. Following the end of the Civil War the Spencer rifles remained in service where they were employed during the ensuing Indian wars. The increasingly obsolete surplus Spencer rifles were later sold to France where they saw service during the Franco-Prussian War. This is a beautiful replica of the famous Civil War era firearm which is both aesthetically pleasing and mechanically sound. It can be used for hunting and Civil War reenactment. Good luck on your bid!