Spencers were usually made in 56-50 rimfire caliber although I am not sure about other calibers. S&S firearms in Glendale NY may still sell centerfire breech blocks to convert from rimfire to centerfire. Brass may be still be found at Track of The Wolf 56-50 boxer primed brass as made by Starline Brass. And you could see if they also have it in stock. What caliber is the Winchester High Wall?. If I had my choice I'd spring for the high wall especially if the bore in in good shape. Frank

 

I have had the same problem with my Spencer with the brass not fitting. I have Starline brass for reloading and I've bought black powder loaded ammo and they won't fully seat. What is the solution to this problem?
Thanks.

As an FYI for Spencers, modern reproductions, Taylors and Armi Sport that use Starline brass are smaller than originals. I believe the bores are .513". Original Spencers are .520". I found that .50-70 brass cut to length, reamed with a .515 reamer and annealed with a Buffalo Arms Spencer bullet dropped at 20:1 does the job very well. Also, Phil Siess of S&S Firearms passed away this July.

I hope the info helps, Joe K.

 

+1 on S+S....Philly is a good guy and know the family for many moons, Starline brass is very good quality....

 

Highwall is 32-40 . What would be a good offer on the highwall or the spencer ?I would actually like to make an offer on all 4 guns not including the M1

 

Not me brother. I'd go for the Garand, and maybe the Spencer. The other 3 don't interest me at all.

 

It looks like someone whacked the barrel on the trapdoor. It just doesn't look right.

 

There is indeed something fishy about the front end of that trapdoor. If the people selling those guns would be willing to ship, I am interested in the Garand.

 

If you are the only person given the opportunity then buy them all. The widow must have some faith in you if that's the case. That Spencer would be the hardest one to feed or sell IMO. Overall poor bores and prone to malfunctions. No need to ask how I know but they make a nice wallhanger. There's collector value in the Winchester and the Colt, which I'm sure you know, and the M1 will sell quick. And the trapdoor looks too short and fine to be an original so.......? Then there is all the "stuff" that should accompany those guns that the widow will toss into the bin that has some little value, no? Besides, just one picture?
So I guess fishing for a price on the Spencer and dissing on the M1 is odd to me.
Condition still rules the day and average low/high/part of the planet money estimates are best formed by the person wearing your sneakers. I know this isn't what you were looking for exactly, but at least think about it and go see the widow with an honest CASH offer for all the stuff on the lowish side. Or pay top price for that Spencer to make it fair and don't look back.

 

Value is highly subjective. But unlike most WW1/2 era milsurps, I’d say the value on civil war guns has slumped a little in recent years. It’s been a long time since Gettysburg came out, and many of the older collectors who are into these are selling, not buying. If you find a guy who really wants it maybe you could count on 2k? 1500 on GB? Both of those options take some work. $750 cash today as part of a package deal?

The Colt Lightning will bring good money, as will the M1. I have no idea about the Winchester single shot as it’s not really my area of interest but I bet it’s pretty valuable as well. Cant say as I’d personally pay more than $350 for the messed-with trapdoor, but it’s probably a fun shooter. I bought a nice 1884 recently for $550 and felt I overpaid since cartouches were sanded off.

 

Quite impressive and nice to see.

 

I recently bought a Spencer with hand made Blakley box. I paid just under $2000. It's an 1865 model and it was quite shootable with a very good bore. It came with both the original breach block and a centerfire block. I'm using it for Cavalry reenacting and shooting the plastic blanks, which work well. However the starline brass won't fit, and I've not fired it live. I understand that many of the 1865 model were made and not used. Many were sold to France, warehoused and shipped back.

 

I have had the same problem with my Spencer with the brass not fitting. I have Starline brass for reloading and I've bought black powder loaded ammo and they won't fully seat. What is the solution to this problem?
Thanks.

 

Like the Spencer. That 56/50 round is impressive. Bought a couple rounds at The Horse Soldier in Gettysburg years back. Got robbed but nice to have anyway.

 

A local collector brings his half-dozen Spencer rifles to some shows, and they sit on his table with prices of $2,000 - 2,500. Then he takes them home.

I think there was a day when these guns had greater collector interest, and higher value. Most of my interest starts at the modern cartridge era, so I watch them with curiosity, but not enthusiasm.

 

The high wall in 32-40 if the bore is in excellent condition would probably sell easily for at least $1700. Way easier to make 32-40 brass from 30-30 win. Comes out a little short but definitely doable. More a target cartridge as used by many schutzen shooters both old and new. IMR 4227 and IMR 4759 if you can find it. Cast bullets can be home made or store bought. So definitely more of a shooter than the 56-50 but since you mentioned you have both the origional rimfire and center fire breech blocks. The spencer had a great showing in Last Stand at Saber River with tom Selleck and the actress who's name I forget. But she does actually use the Blakely box which had preloaded magazine tubes. I've a Peabody single shot carbine in 56-50 rimfire. Had hoped to get it converted to center fire, buy the gent who did the conversions retired and moved away and the company I believe only makes the climbin' Lyman sight for single shot rifles and lever actions. In any event good luck on your purchases. Let us know how you end up. Frank

 

I agree with most of the above. I would make a legit offer on all of them, but greatly discount the "modern" Trapdoor.

 

The local gun auction I go to has seen a nice share of Spencer's go through its door. Can't recall actual selling prices bit I don't think any of them went for more than about $1500.00, if that.

 

I shoot Spencers. Use starline brass, cast bullet, trailboss powder. I have two original ones and one Taylor in 56-50 and one in 45 Colt. 1865 Spencers bring less because they were not used in the Civil War. Collectors like the 1860 as they could have been used in the war. There is a story that the government sold Spencers to the wagon trains moving west. The cost was 2.50 each for a rifle and 100 cartridges.

 

I view a lot of internet actions and was keeping a eye on Spencer Rifles, not mint but whole with undamaged stocks make $1500.00 plus 15%-25% commission