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LOT 67
Exceptional Exhibition Quality Factory Engraved Spencer Slide Action Shotgun - Serial no. 368, 12 gauge, 29 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. The Spencer Repeating Shotgun was patented by Christopher M. Spencer of Spencer repeating rifle fame in 1882 and
was the first successful American slide action repeating shotgun. These innovative shotguns were initially manufactured by the Spencer Arms
Co. c. 1882-1889 and gained a lot of attention. They were advertised as being able to shoot six shots in just three seconds. Due to debt, the rights were later acquired by legendary dealer Francis Bannerman around 1890,
and his company continued to market them until 1907. This example of was manufactured by the Spencer Arms Co. fairly early in production and features stunning factory exhibition quality engraving. The factory offered this model in multiple grades. This shotgun would be the highest grade, Grade A, listed as having fine Italian walnut pistol grip stocks, Turkish Damascus barrels, and “extra engraving for $100. Newspaper accounts indicate “Spencer Repeating Shotguns” were being displayed by agents and dealers in the early 1880s to draw attention to the new design, including at major tournaments. Spencer himself put on a demonstration for General Oyama, Japanese Minister of War, during his visit in 1884 and
allowed the general to try the gun out, and he hit six thrown balls in a row. They were also tested at Springfield Armory and received endorsements from the staff, and the U.S. Ordnance Department purchased some of these shotguns, including 70 in the fiscal year ending on June 30, 1893.
As Spencer was working to market his new design, this beautiful engraved shotgun would certainly have got sportsmen’s attention. The receiver
and trigger guard feature near full coverage floral scrollwork on stippled backgrounds.