Just One More?

[Navy Six]

In a previous post I mentioned the possibility of obtaining another Rogers & Spencer, one that might have been worked on by Tom Ball. Well, scratch that provenance. However, after a two month wait the owner did present a stock Euroarms model mfg 1989. A little surface rust and a  modified brass post front sight didn't deter me as the bore was bright and shinny and the lockup nice and crisp. However, at some point in the past someone tried to remove the mainspring by using a pair of pliers. I know that because they didn't bother to pad the front strap, leaving a 1/4" of nasty gouge marks. I started to turn the gun down but thought  "what else are they going to damage". So home it came with me and I will try my hand at re-finishing that damaged area since I can't live with that type of thing.
I have an interest in Rogers & Spencers and this makes the 6th one I own. Just can't turn one down, especially an orphan. I am cleaning up from the weekend Cowboy shoot so won't be able to tear the new one down until next week. At least the nipples came out already with no problem.

[Zulch]

That sounds great Navy Six!! Can't wait to see some pictures. Just curious here, what is it about the Rogers & Spencer guns that you love so much? I'd really like to hear. I do not own one.

[G Dog]

Six - it’s said that the chamber capacity for the R&S is significantly greater than 1860’s and Remington’s.  If so, how much more?

The screw attaching the trigger guard is the same that attaches the trigger/bolt return spring.  Is that a good thing or does it complicate reassembly?

I’ve read (somewhere) that Gen.  Joe Wheeler (formerly CSA) carried an R&S during the Spanish-American War and that a few were issued then.  Anyone have info on that.

[ShotgunDave]

You can't have too many! No such thing! And it's always good to rescue an orphan.

[Navy Six]

Zulch, I like Rogers & Spencers because they are generally very accurate, are not prone to cap jamming issues and because of the gas ring on the cylinder(like a ColtSAA) they run all day long without powder fouling causing problems. Also, the nipples are angled slightly outward making capping a breeze. Also plenty of room to load the front of the cylinder with loose powder or paper cartridges.
G Dog, I've never tried loading one to capacity but I remember others commenting the capacity was slightly less than a Remington--but don't quote me on that. The trigger guard screw doing double duty has never presented an issue, everything seems to line up pretty easy. The biggest issue is with the mainspring. It is usually on the heavy side (attaches like a Remington)so re-installing one can be a bear. Hence the ugly damage I reported when someone resorted to a pair of pliers on the gun I just acquired. The easiest way around it is to approach it like a Walker. Cock the hammer as far as she goes and tie down the mainspring with a couple zip ties. There are a couple of youtube videos showing assembly/dis.
ShotgunDave, I believe you have the world figured out!!!!

[Zulch]

Zulch, I like Rogers & Spencers because they are generally very accurate, are not prone to cap jamming issues and because of the gas ring on the cylinder(like a ColtSAA) they run all day long without powder fouling causing problems. Also, the nipples are angled slightly outward making capping a breeze. Also plenty of room to load the front of the cylinder with loose powder or paper cartridges.

Navy Six, thank you for your take on the R & S. I did not realize the cones were angled slightly outward. That does sound like a big plus!!
I watched this video. That is an awesome revolver! I understand better now why you like these guns.

[Marshal Will]

Congrats on the new one. They're an interesting piece.

Getting those scratches out if the mainspring is a good idea. Scratches going across a spring can cause a stress crack to start. Polish them out longitudinally.

Thanks for that video, Z.

[ShotgunDave]

ShotgunDave, I believe you have the world figured out!!!!

My wife would probably disagree with you!

[Navy Six]

Congrats on the new one. They're an interesting piece.

Getting those scratches out if the mainspring is a good idea. Scratches going across a spring can cause a stress crack to start. Polish them out longitudinally.

Thanks for that video, Z.

Marshal Will, the nasty scratches are on the front strap where they are painfully visible. I guess the previous owner tried to compress the mainspring with pliers and the teeth dug into the blued frontstrap in several places. I am going to try approaching the damage like fixing a damaged screw head/slot and lightly tapping the metal back into place before resorting to any polishing and rebluing.

[Marshal Will]

Congrats on the new one. They're an interesting piece.

Getting those scratches out if the mainspring is a good idea. Scratches going across a spring can cause a stress crack to start. Polish them out longitudinally.

Thanks for that video, Z.

Marshal Will, the nasty scratches are on the front strap where they are painfully visible. I guess the previous owner tried to compress the mainspring with pliers and the teeth dug into the blued frontstrap in several places. I am going to try approaching the damage like fixing a damaged screw head/slot and lightly tapping the metal back into place before resorting to any polishing and rebluing.

Too bad someone got hold of it that way. It is correctable, though, and I'd approach it the way you said. I misunderstood your earlier post. I thought it was the spring that was scratched up.

[1stnamebassist]

Six - it’s said that the chamber capacity for the R&S is significantly greater than 1860’s and Remington’s.  If so, how much more?

The screw attaching the trigger guard is the same that attaches the trigger/bolt return spring.  Is that a good thing or does it complicate reassembly?

I’ve read (somewhere) that Gen.  Joe Wheeler (formerly CSA) carried an R&S during the Spanish-American War and that a few were issued then.  Anyone have info on that.

I’m new to the forum, and recently picked up a stainless Roger’s & Spencer. It’s a beautiful solid gun! As far as capacity I was able to load 40 gr of graffs 3f with a .454 roundball and lube on top. That was max. I tried 43 gr and I had to file the roundball back some because the cylinder wouldn’t rotate. I saw a video by Blackie Thomas where he could put 50 gr of pyrodex with a roundball with no issue. I’m thinking maybe the one he bought had the chambers reamed some.Besides that the gun shot great and I’m very happy with it.Only issue I see is sourcing spare parts beyond screws and the trigger bolt spring. Sure would like to have a spare hand laying around in case the original gets messed up somehow.

[Captainkirk]

Well, since Pedersoli owns the production rights and seems to have little or no interest in resuming production of neither guns nor parts, you will probably have to watch the auction sites and pay the piper's price if something you want pops up for sale.
Are you sure it's stainless, and not the "Old West" aged finish version? I do not recall seeing a SS R&S, though Euroarms did produce the aged finish version for a number of years (which, IMHO, is better looking than the blued models!)
Anyway, we'd love to see pix of yours!

[Hawg]

I’m new to the forum, and recently picked up a stainless Roger’s & Spencer. It’s a beautiful solid gun! As far as capacity I was able to load 40 gr of graffs 3f with a .454 roundball and lube on top. That was max. I tried 43 gr and I had to file the roundball back some because the cylinder wouldn’t rotate. I saw a video by Blackie Thomas where he could put 50 gr of pyrodex with a roundball with no issue. I’m thinking maybe the one he bought had the chambers reamed some.Besides that the gun shot great and I’m very happy with it.Only issue I see is sourcing spare parts beyond screws and the trigger bolt spring. Sure would like to have a spare hand laying around in case the original gets messed up somehow.

Pyrodex compresses a lot more than bp but I don't know if it will compress that much.

[G Dog]

Fifty grains is what Thomas says his measure says.  Using .454 he got 1175 on his first shot.  That’s scootin.  432 ft/lb energy.

https://youtu.be/__dkWgQWwV0?si=GMLYF3dcAnWNPgVS

[Hawg]

Not all measures are created equally, just sayin.