Taylor’s & Co Armi-Sport Model 1865 Spencer Rifle .56-50 Lever Rifle, 2008
SOLD FOR: $2425
LSB#: 211002NI82
Make: Armi-Sport imported by Taylor’s Co. Inc.
Model: 1865 Spencer Carbine
Serial#: M2008
Year of Manufacture: 2008, Italian date code “CC”
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 and the top rear of the receiver feature the serial number “M2008”. The bottom right side at the rear of the receiver features Italian proofs including the date code “CC”.
Barrel Length: 20”
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a blade atop a rectangular base 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 a barrel band. The buttstock features a straight wrist, straight comb, sling swivel on the belly and a metal buttplate with a hole for the tubular magazine. The stocks have some light handling marks but no major imperfections. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP is 13 1/8” from the trigger to the rear end of the buttplate. The buttplate has some light finish wear. Overall, the stocks are in Fine-Excellent 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. The receiver shows a faint layer of frost throughout. The markings remain clear. The screwheads are sharp. Overall, the rifle is in Fine-Excellent 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. This box comes in a black Armi-Sport hard case with an owner’s manual and a protective bag. The case shows hardly any wear, in about excellent condition.
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. Please see our photos and good luck!
