[ClayD]

While the Spencer was technically a lever action with its black powder rimfire .56-56 Spencer with its tubes in the stock. Its action uses a falling breechblock (F) attached to a carrier (E). Figure 1, shows the breechblock raised. Firing forces are contained by the receiver at the rear of the breechblock (see diagram).

In a few years after the civil war Winchester brought out Spencer with all his patents and produced his lever action with many modifications from a Spencer as a guide to greatly improve and then made his rifle we all know of which all lever actions were based. True Spencer does not get the credit he deserves as Winchester completely reworked it and made his world famous rifle.

I read the biggest reason the North did not like the Spencer as the Arrny were set in their ways of only muzzle loading.
Later during the war that Pres. Lincoln tried the Spencer on the White House lawn, then he too was convinced and pushed its acceptance.

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What Winchester rifle was based on the Spencer? Never heard of this before. Winchester produced the Henry design through the Model 1876, then it was Browning designs after that.

 

[Lexie__M]

What Winchester rifle was based on the Spencer? Never heard of this before. Winchester produced the Henry design through the Model 1876, then it was Browning designs after that.

How about this lil bit of history:

But such longevity was not enjoyed by the Spencer Repeating Rifle Company. The abrupt cancellation of orders at war's end plunged the company into financial peril. In an attempt to enter the civilian market, Spencer turned to Sporting Rifles. Feeling the popular .56-50 military cartridge too powerful for peacetime use, he chambered his new guns for .56-46. It was a fatal mistake. The new .56-46 Spencer was plagued with feeding problems and grumblings from hunters of being underpowered. Plus, the demand for hard-hitting frontier firearms was being filled by inexpensive surplus military arms, many of which were Spencer carbines converted to centerfire.

Thus, in spite of a distinguished service record, the dismal reputation of the postwar gun soiled the company's name. Only about 1,700 Sporting Models were made before Spencer sold his firm to the Fogerty Rifle Company in 1868. As a final blow, that firm, which changed its name to the American Repeating Rifle Company, was acquired by Winchester Repeating Arms one year later.

Cimarron's Spencer 1865 Carbine - Guns and Ammo

A look back at the Spencer 1895 Carbine and shooting a replica imported by Cimarron Firearms.

www.gunsandammo.com

 

[mikegc]

I like my '73! It's a fine shooter:

Not in the same class, really, but this lever gun reportedly made the west safe for Winchester:

Mike

 

[bronicabill]

The Winchester 9422 was an excellent lever action .22LR.

My 9422XTR is my all-around favorite rifle, and one I will never part with! Made in the late '70's, it still looks brand new!

 

[aclarke333]

I like my Marlin 336 but my next one will be the Winchester 1894.

 

[JMag1]

Alas, I only own a 1895 JM Marlin from that list.