1865 Spencer Rifle Canadian Issue

Sold
Antique Item #C1970

1865 Spencer Rifle Canadian Issue

  • Licensing Category: Antique
  • Maker:
  • Model:
  • Caliber/Gauge: .50 Cal

  • Description:

    Serial # 34 is a 1865 Canadian issue Spencer rifle.  This item is a very scarce Canadian military rifle. For reference, we have referred to "The Spencer Repeating Firearms" by Roy Marcot,Chapter 10 and "Defending the Dominion " by David W. Edgecomb. Based on the reference material,Canada was the first and largest recipient of the 1865 Spencer rifles. This example shows serial number 34. The 30" barrel shows a bright excellent 50 caliber (56-50) bore, an even brown petina fnish,original sights and clear markings. The action shows an even silver finish with a sound working action. The wood remains in excellent condition with a strong trace of the original finish. The right side of the butt shows an indentation above the swivel in the same location as the WD markings were stamped.The reference points relating to this Spencer are as follows: 1. The prior owner acquired this rifle from a family who indicated that it was used by a forebearer during the Finian raids. 2. Prior to Confederation the Governor General of Canada approved an Order in Council to purchase 300 Spencer rifles to arm the border posts. On June 1,1866 the 2nd Queens Own Rifle Battalion of Toronto was issued the newly arrived 1865 Spencer rifles and 28 rounds of ammo. This unit faced the Fenians on the 2nd & 3rd of June. The Imperial Government purchased for Canada an additional 1000 Spencer 1865 rifles and Spencer carbines. 3. The Spencer rifles were in service for a short time. In the summer of 1867, the first lot of 30,000 Snider rifles arrived from England. The Spencer rifles were returned to Ordnance stores. Some,but not all, were W arrow D marked. Note: No 1865 Spencer rifles were purchased by the U.S. Government. This model was mostly exported to foreign governments (England for Canadian service) or sold on the civilian market. The Spencer carbines remained in Canadian service for a longer period of time being issued to 22 troops of cavalry and to various artillery units. The issue of these is outlined on page 30 of "Defending the Dominion". The 17 units as issued with rifles in 1867 are also listed on page 38.  4. As per the information in the National Archives of Canada and as referred to in "Defending The Dominion" ,page 40,all the Spencer rifles were sold to C.H. Pond of New York. At the time of the agreement there were 1,905 Spencer rifles in stores. In May of 1872, Pond took delivery of the Spencer rifles and 1 million rounds of ammo in Montreal.  It would appear that the Spencer rifles, as acquired ,were later sold & shipped to France (as with the split breech Remington carbines) for use in the Franco-Prussian war.It is our theory that this rifle #34 is from the earliest group of rifles as acquired by the Imperial Government and that this rifle remained in Canada as one of the 95 unaccounted for rifles. The obliterated WD property mark is very obvious. This is a very scarce and early example of a Canadian rifle of the Fenian raid era.