Skip to main content
Rock Island Auction Company
AuctionsConsignmentBlogFAQNewsAbout Us
Create Account
Login
AuctionsConsignmentBlogFAQNews & EventsAbout Us
Login
Create Account

History Lives Here

Rock Island Auction Company
1-309-797-15001-800-238-8022[email protected]
RIAC Rock Island
7819 42nd Street West
Rock Island, Illinois 61201, USA
8:00am - 5:00pm, Mon - Fri
RIAC Bedford
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, Texas 76021, USA
8:00am - 5:00pm, Mon - Fri
Navigation
  • Auctions
  • Consignment
  • Blog
  • FAQ
  • News
  • About Us
More Info
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Job Postings & Careers
  • Contact
  • Order a Catalog
© 2025 Rock Island Auction Company. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. Click here for more information.
Healthcare Transparency in Coverage.
  • Auction Catalog #76
  • Lot #103
Lot #102
Lot #104

Lot 103: Factory Engraved/Shooting Prize Spencer Arms Shotgun

Extraordinary Factory Panel Scene Engraved Spencer Arms Slide Action Shooting Prize Award Inscribed Shotgun

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: May 3, 2019

Lot 103: Factory Engraved/Shooting Prize Spencer Arms Shotgun

Extraordinary Factory Panel Scene Engraved Spencer Arms Slide Action Shooting Prize Award Inscribed Shotgun

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: May 3, 2019

Estimated Price: $18,000 - $27,500

Extraordinary Factory Panel Scene Engraved Spencer Arms Slide Action Shooting Prize Award Inscribed Shotgun

Manufacturer: Spencer Arms Co
Model: Slide Action Shotgun
Type: Shotgun
Gauge: 12
Barrel: 28 inch round
Finish: brown/casehardened
Grip:
Stock: highly figured checkered
Item Views: 3530
Serial Number:
Catalog Page: 70
Class: Antique
Description:

Designed by Christopher M. Spencer the designer of the Civil War military carbine and manufactured from 1882 to 1889, these Spencer shotguns are considered the first successful American slide action repeating shotgun. This highly attractive example features a factory engraving and is marked as a shooting prize. The engraving consists of scrollwork on the receiver and trigger guard. An engraved game dog scene surrounded by scrollwork is featured on the left side of the receiver, and the scrollwork surrounds the engraved "SPENCER/ARMS CO. PAT. APR. 1882" marking on the right side of the receiver. The engraving resembles known patterns by renowned Master Engraver Louis Daniel Nimschke or his New York shop. The serial number is engraved on the lifter. The barrel, which is numbered to the gun, has a bead front sight and the one-line Spencer Arms Co. address. An inscribed shooting prize medallion appears on the underside of the buttstock .The inscription reads "1ST PRIZE/25 STRAIGHT" around an engraved pigeon. Although we do not know the exact shooting competition, the medallion suggests that this shotgun was originally intended to be awarded to a shooter who obtained 25 consecutive clay pigeon hits. The barrel and magazine tube are both an attractive Damascus pattern. The select grade (possibly English) walnut short slide handle and round knob pistol grip stock feature finely executed checkering. The buttstock is fitted with a checkered hard rubber buttplate. Length of pull is 13 3/4 inches.

Rating Definition:

Excellent. 85% original brown Damascus remains on the barrel and magazine tube. The receiver retains 90% vivid original case colors. The wood is very fine with a couple short hairline stress cracks near the upper tang, minor dings and scratches and crisp checkering overall. The heel of the buttplate has a worn spot. Mechanically excellent. This factory panel scene engraved Spencer shotgun is the finest of its type extant!



Customer Product Questions

There are currently no customer product questions on this lot

    Related Items

    Lot #1307: Game Scene Engraved Alfred Davis Boxlock Shotgun with Case

    Lot #12: Factory Engraved Merwin, Hulbert & Co. Medium Frame Revolver

    Lot #385: Game Scene Engraved Carl Stiegele Drilling with Zeiss Scope

    Lot #378: Factory Engraved Parker Brothers PH Grade Double Barrel Shotgun

    Lot #384: Factory Game Scene Engraved Austrian Over/Under Combination Gun

    Lot #898: Factory Engraved Beretta S3 Sidelock Over/Under Shotgun