4447 SPECTACULAR ENGRAVED SILVER PLATED SPENCER CIVIL

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 12,500.00 USD
Estimated at 25,000.00 - 35,000.00 USD
WAR MODEL CARBINE. Cal. 56-56. S# 55305. This fabulous carbine has full coverage presentation quality engraving. The left side of the receiver shows a frontiersman posing with a grizzly. The right side scene depicts a cavalryman standing by his horse with musket to shoulder. The scenes are surrounded by vine type foliate scroll with punch dot backgrounds. This scroll and fancy borders extend to rear & upper portions of frame as well as the lockplate, lever, buttplate, breech end of bbl. and fittings. The top of the front receiver ring is hand engraved "SPENCER REPEATER" and is surrounded by hand checkering with wavy borders. The forward sloping section of the lever is hand checkered to provide a gripping surface. The hammer head features a fearsome looking feathered dragon. Engraving is in the style done in the shop of Louis Daniel Nimschke, (July 1832-April 9, 1904). One of the most iconic engravers of his time. Born in Germany he emigrated to the United States around 1850. Between 1850 & 1900 Nimschke worked for over 100 gunmakers and mastered all contemporary engraving styles. The engraving on this carbine is very similar to the Spencer pictured on page 52 of the R. L. Wilson book "L. D. NIMSCHKE, Firearms Engraver". The Spencer Repeating Rifle Company of Boston MA. produced approximately 144,500 rifles & carbines including 107,372 for the United States Government. This Civil War model carbine has a 20" bbl. with 6 groove rifling, Barleycorn front sight & carbine leaf rear sight. Finish is full silver. Inspector initial "R" is found on the right side of the lever and initial "J" on the breech block. Left side of action has a saddle ring & bar. The 7 rd. tubular magazine inserts thru the steel carbine buttplate. Band fastened forend and straight grip stock of straight grain black walnut. The stock has an inletted swivel in toeline with a light hand carved "B" in front of it. CONDITION: the metal retains over 80% silver with some portions of the bbl. acquiring a pleasing light tarnish. The sanded and refinished wood has a dark red tone. The stock shows small chips around the lockplate with a small crack and repair behind the lower tang. Action function is smooth. The hammer does hold solidly at half cock. The bright bore retains sound rifling showing scattered spots of pitting. (01-23328/DS). ANTIQUE. $25,000-35.000.