Rogers & Spencer Revolver

[tsmgguy]

Here's the oldest piece in my collection, a Civil War era Rogers & Spencer percussion revolver in .44 caliber. The Rogers & Spencer is regarded as being one of the very best of the US Civil War percussion revolver designs because of its superb balance, solid frame, and excellent accuracy.

Rogers & Spencer revolvers were manufactured in Willowdale, NY, in 1865. In January of that year, the United States government contracted for 5,000 pistols. Delivery on the contract was made too late for war service, and the entire lot was placed into government storage. In 1901 these pistols were sold as scrap to Francis Bannerman and Son for $1.50 per pistol. Bannerman's then sold the pistols throughout the first quarter of the 20th Century. Many original Rogers & Spencer revolvers are seen today in excellent, near mint condition.

This particular pistol was purchased at auction for the opening bid. It's a new condition gun that was improperly stored, resulting in the loss of most of the original blued finish. The bore, grips, screws, and internals are perfect, though. One of the gun's most impressive features is its trigger, which has a crisp release of about 5 lbs with no take up or creep.

I have more photos, but site software will only let me upload two.

 

[DMZ]

The most aesthetic percussion revolver made.

 

[PRM]

The Rogers & Spencer is regarded as being one of the very best of the US Civil War percussion revolver designs because of its superb balance, solid frame, and excellent accuracy.

the United States government contracted for 5,000 pistols. Delivery on the contract was made too late for war service, and the entire lot was placed into government storage.

Considered one of the period best for attributes that were that were never used??? Gonna scratch my head on that one.

Gotta poke a little fun. I've looked at both originals and repros a lot over the years. You definitely have a nice original specimen.

Have you shot it? This thread cries for a range report.

 

[tsmgguy]

This one does not apprear to have ever been fired. Thought I'd leave it that way.

 

[Lunie]

The most aesthetic percussion revolver made.

Eye of the beholder, and all...

 

[rio nueces]

That one is begging to be shot.

 

[sltm1]

Excellnt gun!~! I have 2, one Euroarms and one original.

 

[tsmgguy]

More. . .

 

[tsmgguy]

Yet more. . .

 

[tsmgguy]

More still!

 

[tsmgguy]

The last of 'em.

 

[Acorn Mush]

Love the crisp trigger pull, love the sights, hate the grip shape.

 

[Hellgate]

They may be accurate and reliable but I've heard they are not a fast gun to shoot as in Cowboy Action matches. The hammer rides pretty high and is harder to reach than the Colts or Remingtons. However, if you are in a cavalry battle you are not necessarily having to do a 5 or 6 shot sweep. Basically, point at an enemy, shoot, then point at another and shoot, etc. til empty, holster if time then draw your sword for the duration. Reload after the battle or during a lull. If you are a Confederate irregular, have 4 to 6 revolvers and to hell with the sword.

 

[tsmgguy]

It's a very easy revolver to live with, and had it been the only one you were issued, you'd probably have liked it just fine.

The small boss on the front of the cylinder seems like such a small thing, but it means that powder residue does not foul the cylinder pin, unlike the M1858 Remington and M1860 Colt's.

Yes, other revolvers of the period probably had design features here and there that might have been more desirable, but in the aggregate, this was one of the best. It was certainly far better than earlier pistols produced by the same firm, the Pettingill and Freeman revolvers.

 

[Captain*kirk]

I have one of the Euroarms versions (yet unfired) and it is a very interesting piece. Can't say it feels as good as a Remmy, or points as good as a Colt Navy, but it is an interesting gun that has a feel totally different from either Colt or Remington.

 

[madcratebuilder]

My R&S is one of the more accurate revolvers in the collection, great feel. Only thing I dislike is the height of the hammer spur.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Nice pics, tsmgguy.

I'm a big fan of the R&S, based on shooting my Euroarms replica. It's become my favorite percussion revolver.





It handles powder fouling better than the Colts or Remingtons, in my experience, and also seems to be virtually immune to cap jams. The loading lever latch is very secure. The only downside compared to a Colt or Remington is that there is no way to safely carry it hammer down between chambers, meaning that if you carry it, it's a 5 shooter.

 

[kituwa]

Dave, nice looking gun! And that target is VERY good shooting for off hand 25 yards even with the fliers!

 

[Cosmoline]

I understand it gets around that irritating cap debris problem that plagues earlier models of C&B guns.

 

[tsmgguy]

Nice shooting, Dave!

I have one of the Euroarms replicas too, defarbed by Todd Watts. I've never shot it, but it looks like I need to!