Rifle
MakerMade by
Spencer Repeating Rifle Co.
(American)
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Frank Cheney Sr.
(American, 1817 - 1904)
Date1868
MediumSteel, wood, brass, rope
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall length): 43in. (109.2cm)
Other (barrel length): 26in. (66cm)
ClassificationsWeapons
Credit LineGift of Frank C. Platt of New York
Object number1985.10.0a-g
DescriptionFinely engraved Spencer Repeating Rifle presented to Frank Cheney Sr. in 1868. The Spencer is a sporting gun in .44 calibre, and has a three piece sight including a cylindrical sight at the end of the muzzle, a short flip sight mounted before the breech, and a tall flip sight mounted behind the breech mechanism. There is a cylindrical tube located in the butt stock of the rifle that holds seven cartridges and is removed by turning to the right and pulling out from the rear end. The rifle is extensively engraved, and is signed on the left side of the breech, "Eng. by / L. Nimschke". The sides of the breech are decorated with two different scenes; on the right hand side is a man hunting a bear, and on the left side is a scene of a Civil War cavalry man shooting at enemy soldiers. Both scenes are surrounded with decorative scroll work. The outside of the hammer is engraved with the image of a wolf's head, and all screws on the rifle are engraved with a floral pattern. Engraved on the rear end of the barrel at the breech is, "Frank Cheney / South Manchester, / Conn." Stamped on the breech is, "Spencer Repeating / Rifle Co. Boston Mass. / Pat'd March 6, 1860." The rifle was presented and remains in a mahogany case lined with green felt. Also included within the case is a screwdriver tool for disassembly of the gun, a wooden cleaning rod, and a cord with bristled end for cleaning.
NotesAccording to an assessment done by Bill Guthman in 1985 this rifle was presented to Frank Cheney by the Spencer Repeating Rifle Company in 1868 as a gift for being the chief officer of the company. It is one of three known cased presentation Spencer rifles; the other two being, one that was presented to Navy Secretary Gideon Welles in 1865, and the other to Emperor Franz Josef I of Austria in 1867 (Now in the Kunst-Historisches Museum in Vienna, Austria). Also of Note is the engraver of the rifle L.D. Nimschke, who was one of the foremost engravers in America in the 19th century. According to Guthman because of the rifles extreme extravagance and condition (which has not changed since 1985) it is the finest known Spencer Sporting rifle known in existence. (Brundage 5/14/09)Status
On view
