Lincoln's Spencer rifle

[Arkansas Paul]

I was inspired by J-Bar's post with the historical revolvers he saw in Branson.

This past June we took a little trip to Washington DC and saw something very cool at the Museum of American History.

We have probably all heard the story of Christopher Spencer visiting with President Lincoln and having him personally test his rifle. Well, that rifle is in the Museum of American History.

Here she is.

 

[Panzerschwein]

LOVE it!! Spencers are great. I've long wanter a repro Spencer but would have to reload for it. I'd only want it in the original .56-50 cartridge, which they chamber some of the repros for but with modern centerfire cases.

 

[WestKentucky]

I remember seeing this gun and being a bit angry about it. It's a historically significant piece and the museum has almost no information about it to explain its significance. There's less info there than what you would find on a pawn shop ticket if it ever got sold. I spoke to one of the curators and he was excited about sharing the info he had, but said the museum wouldn't put up another plaque to explain the significance. So as it is, it looks like a random piece of militaria laying around waiting to be destroyed in the next gun scare...for the sake of the children of course.

 

[tark]

Quite right, West Kentucky. The same thing is true at the Rock Island Arsenal Museum. For years, Model shop Garand #2, R.I.A. 1903 Springfield # 1 and the only 1892 Krag carbine in existence were hanging on a wall, fifteen feet away.

Somebody finally talked them into taking the 1903 off of the wall and putting it in a display case on the floor, where it can be examined more closely.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I remember seeing this gun and being a bit angry about it. It's a historically significant piece and the museum has almost no information about it to explain its significance. There's less info there than what you would find on a pawn shop ticket if it ever got sold.

I agree.
I know the story of Christopher Spencer visiting the President and them target practicing with a Spencer rifle. It would have been nice to have some information about that encounter.

On an unrelated note, they also had the tophat that he was wearing the night of his assassination. I could spend an entire day in that place.

 

[pbearperry]

Now that is awesome.

 

[Kaeto]

The reason Spencer went to Lincoln is that the War Department absolutely refused to even consider the rifle. Their reason? That Solders would waste ammo if they had a repeating rifle. After the shoot Lincoln liked the gun so much he flat out ordered the War Dept. to buy it.

 

[Paul7]

I believe Lincoln shot it on the White House grounds.

 

[Jimster]

Too bad he didn't feel as enthusiastic about the Henry. That sucker was like the first assault rifle.

 

[Kaeto]

The Spencer was more powerful than the Henry.

 

[Jimster]

Which would you choose to save your life?

 

[Kaeto]

Either.

 

[stevekozak]

The Spencer threw a big chunk of lead!

 

[Swampman]

LOVE it!! Spencers are great. I've long wanter a repro Spencer but would have to reload for it. I'd only want it in the original .56-50 cartridge, which they chamber some of the repros for but with modern centerfire cases.

Wasn't the original chambering 56-56?

I honestly don't know.
I read up on the Spencer several years ago and was totally confused by conflicting information regarding the cartridges it fired and the differences between them.

I remember reading that Bannermans was selling the rifles well into the 20th century for unbelievably low prices, like a couple bucks each IIRC.

 

[jim in Anchorage]

I guess non gun people wouldn't care, but I would love to see a original box of ammo displayed with that remarkable gun. I would look at it for hours.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Wasn't the original chambering 56-56?

From what I have read and researched there were 3 different chamberings.

The most common was the .56-56. Then there was the .56-50 and the .56-52 (which was rather rare).

This article mentions a .56-46 but they don't show any examples. I had never heard of that one.

http://www.mcpheetersantiquemilitaria.com/06_ammunition/06_item_051.htm

 

[HankB]

The reason Spencer went to Lincoln is that the War Department absolutely refused to even consider the rifle. Their reason? That Solders would waste ammo if they had a repeating rifle. After the shoot Lincoln liked the gun so much he flat out ordered the War Dept. to buy it.

You know, I kind of remember a scene from a movie I saw a long time ago in which Lincoln went out behind the White House to try the rifle . . .