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Spencer single shot (Read 5271 times)

KWK Senior Forum Member Offline Posts: 412 Location: USA Joined: Jul 12^th, 2004	Spencer single shot Dec 17^th, 2020 at 1:41pm	Print Post
	Anyone come across information on this design? My notes say I wrote to Romano once but that his description of his replica wasn't clear. It's said to have been part of the 1872 breech loader trials for the army, but all I could find in that regard was that Spencer's was entry no.30 out of about 100 designs submitted. Sadly, google doesn't have a scan of the Chief of Ordnance report for that year. He wrote it was similar to a rolling block. My best guess is the underlever rolls the breech back, perhaps just after it unlocks it.
	« Last Edit: Dec 17^th, 2020 at 1:59pm by KWK »
	Karl
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Grumpy gumpy Full Member Offline Posts: 214 Location: australia Joined: Jul 6^th, 2016	Re: Spencer single shot Reply #1 - Dec 17^th, 2020 at 6:33pm	Print Post
	I have an ebook copy of the 1872 trials repot and just had a quick look, couldn’t find a reference to it there, will have a better look tonight Gumpy


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oneatatime Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 4183 Location: Rocky Mountains Joined: Oct 30^th, 2011	Re: Spencer single shot Reply #2 - Dec 17^th, 2020 at 7:19pm	Print Post
	You don't suppose it was just a Spencer with the Stabler cut-off? Or made without the magazine to lower cost?


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chipmaker Senior Forum Member Offline Posts: 362 Location: san diego Joined: Sep 24^th, 2007	Re: Spencer single shot Reply #3 - Dec 17^th, 2020 at 7:45pm	Print Post
	When Spencer sold the rights to his repeating rifle, he apparently agreed to never design or produce another repeating rifle. This did not stop him from designing single shot rifles and repeating shotguns. Attached is a photo of his patent of 1873, for the single shot rifle, that he entered in the Army trials. Despite the excellent help from the NRA, Smithsonian and Cody museums, I've been unable to find any information on the fate of the Army trial rifles. The Army trial rifles would have been chambered for the 45-70 and I know of at least one of the Romano made, Spencer rifles, chambered for the 45-90. Otto


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Grumpy gumpy Full Member Offline Posts: 214 Location: australia Joined: Jul 6^th, 2016	Re: Spencer single shot Reply #4 - Dec 17^th, 2020 at 8:11pm	Print Post
	The only entry for C.M.Spencer was a 50 cal musket, listed as rifle no. 30, fired 13 shots in total, didn’t elaborate, didn’t see anything about wether it was a single shot Gumpy


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Bnelson Full Member Offline Posts: 189 Location: Lower Michigan Joined: Jan 5^th, 2009	Re: Spencer single shot Reply #5 - Dec 17^th, 2020 at 9:52pm	Print Post
	I was able to find the information on the Spencer rifle number 30 with a description and parts diagram from the report. They are attached.

	(You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links) ( 383 KB \| 58 Downloads ) (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links) ( 427 KB \| 49 Downloads )
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Grumpy gumpy Full Member Offline Posts: 214 Location: australia Joined: Jul 6^th, 2016	Re: Spencer single shot Reply #6 - Dec 18^th, 2020 at 2:12am	Print Post
	Bnelson wrote on Dec 17^th, 2020 at 9:52pm: I was able to find the information on the Spencer rifle number 30 with a description and parts diagram from the report. They are attached. You got further in the repot than I have so far Gumpy


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MrTipUp Frequent Elocutionist Offline Quality is to a product what character is to a man Posts: 1377 Location: Indiana Joined: Feb 19^th, 2020	Re: Spencer single shot Reply #7 - Dec 18^th, 2020 at 6:17am	Print Post
	I'm not one of those who can look at a layout and assemble the parts in my head. But it does seem like the rifle Spencer submitted would've looked pretty much like the one Romano sold. Sadly, that rifle has been listed as "sold out" for well over a year. And since Romano Rifle was the maker, I presume that "sold out" can safely be interpreted as "will no longer be made". Also, not being any kind of engineer and judging only from the patent drawings, dies anything other than the hammer nose lock the breech block down upon firing? Bill Lawrence
	« Last Edit: Dec 18^th, 2020 at 6:23am by MrTipUp »

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ratseye Full Member Offline Posts: 202 Location: Eastern, PA Joined: Feb 28^th, 2017	Re: Spencer single shot Reply #8 - Dec 18^th, 2020 at 9:22am	Print Post
	Bill, I own a Romano Spencer single shot in 50-90 and might be able to help you. Ratseye


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chipmaker Senior Forum Member Offline Posts: 362 Location: san diego Joined: Sep 24^th, 2007	Re: Spencer single shot Reply #9 - Dec 18^th, 2020 at 1:16pm	Print Post
	The description and parts diagram of Spencer rifle #30 posted by BN show that the rifle was in fact based on Spencer's 1873 patent and not one of his earlier single shot rifle patents. It's also interesting to see the changes in his assembled rifle compared to the patent. It appears that the firing pin is also significantly different from that seen in the patent drawing. It also required considerable changes in the breech block. The extractor isn't shown on the patent drawing but appears to be a two piece part, similar to that used on the 22 LR Ballard rifles, if I'm not mistaken. TU. The hammer plays no role in locking the breech block. The breech block is securely locked down by the head of the lever (B&d on the patent drawing) fitting into the notch, in the frame. Attached is a side plate version of the action, showing the breech block lock up. Otto


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KWK Senior Forum Member Offline Posts: 412 Location: USA Joined: Jul 12^th, 2004	Re: Spencer single shot Reply #10 - Dec 18^th, 2020 at 5:07pm	Print Post
	Well, thank you, everyone. It's a clever mechanism. I like it. I'd searched google's patent service yesterday, but using Christopher Spencer and firearm apparently wasn't close enough. I'd forgotten the inventor's name was always abbreviated in those patents. ratseye, please tell us more about your rifle. How smooth is the action? How's the workmanship? (I've read Romano does a good job.) Does it include a firing pin retractor or does it work best to half cock it separately? MrTipUp, if you're interested in some of Romano's rifles, I wouldn't assume "sold out" is the final word. I talked with him a month or two ago. The pandemic has him backlogged and it will take him until spring to clear up the mess. He said he plans to then scale back his busy work schedule and be more selective with the projects he takes on. He's willing to do a B&W Ballard in a sporting rifle configuration instead of just the Civil War style shown on his site.
	« Last Edit: Dec 18^th, 2020 at 5:22pm by KWK »
	Karl
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ratseye Full Member Offline Posts: 202 Location: Eastern, PA Joined: Feb 28^th, 2017	Re: Spencer single shot Reply #11 - Dec 19^th, 2020 at 12:58pm	Print Post
	KWK, attached (I hope) are two photos of the Romano Spencer. One full length right side and one close up of the action. I haven't shot it this past year as other projects have kept me busy but I have several five shot groups at or below 1-1/2" at 100 yards. This is with BP and I am a neophyte at BP. This rifle has a cam that acts on the hammer nose to withdraw it as the block swings back. Works very well. Not the best pictures but I think you will see the rifle is finely made and Larry Romano is a craftsman and a great guy as well. I wouldn't hesitate to call him about it. Bnelson, I have searched for the report with no luck. Can you tell me where you got it? That is the only picture of a Spencer SS I have ever seen. Thanks, ratseye


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ratseye Full Member Offline Posts: 202 Location: Eastern, PA Joined: Feb 28^th, 2017	Re: Spencer single shot Reply #12 - Dec 19^th, 2020 at 1:00pm	Print Post
	Well I got the one to post and here is the other. Thanks, rats


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oneatatime Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 4183 Location: Rocky Mountains Joined: Oct 30^th, 2011	Re: Spencer single shot Reply #13 - Dec 19^th, 2020 at 1:06pm	Print Post
	A beautiful and very interesting rifle! Congratulations on your choice.


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Bnelson Full Member Offline Posts: 189 Location: Lower Michigan Joined: Jan 5^th, 2009	Re: Spencer single shot Reply #14 - Dec 19^th, 2020 at 6:33pm	Print Post
	Here is the web page for the full army report. It has over 700 pages, so it is slow to load, but all there. (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links) Bruce


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