Taylors & Company Chiappa 1865 Spencer Carbine 56-50 20
- Caliber-Gauge:
- 56-50
- Barrel Length:
- 20"
- Barrel Length Range:
- 20" to 21.99"
The Taylors & Company Chiappa 1865 Spencer Carbine in .56-50 is a faithful reproduction of one of American firearms history's most innovative designs. Spencer's lever-action repeater was revolutionary for its era—faster, more reliable, and more powerful than the single-shot muskets and cap-and-ball revolvers that dominated Civil War battlefields. This 20-inch carbine brings that same winning formula to modern shooters and history enthusiasts who want an authentic, functional piece of sporting heritage.
The 1865 Spencer marked Spencer's refinement of his original 1860 design, addressing earlier shortcomings with a more dependable platform. This Chiappa-built recreation honors that evolution with period-correct aesthetics: a case-hardened frame, deep-blue barrel, and walnut furniture that feel authentic without sacrificing reliability. The lever-action feed from a seven-round magazine keeps you in the fight longer than any single-loader of the era—or any revolver, for that matter.
Whether you're a historical reenactor, a lever-action collector, or a shooter drawn to the Spencer's legendary reputation, this carbine delivers the compact handling of the original military issue. At just 9 pounds with a 20-inch barrel and 37-inch overall length, it shoulders quickly and points naturally. The fixed front sight and rear ladder sight are set up for practical shooting distances and can be adjusted for elevation, keeping you accurate across reasonable ranges.
Chambered in .56-50 Spencer, this rifle feeds the same ammunition Spencer cartridges were designed for—a testament to the durability of the original design. If you appreciate lever-action rifles steeped in American gunmaking innovation, the Spencer Carbine is a genuinely interesting alternative to the usual Winchester reproductions.
Key Features
- Lever-action repeater with seven-round magazine capacity
- Case-hardened frame with blue barrel for authentic period finish
- Walnut stock and fore-end
- Fixed front sight and rear ladder sight for elevation adjustment
- Compact 20-inch barrel for carbine handling
- Weighs 9 pounds for practical carry and shooting
Specifications
| Brand | Taylors and Company / Armi Chiappa |
| Caliber | .56-50 Spencer |
| Action Type | Lever-Action |
| Barrel Length | 20 inches |
| Overall Length | 37 inches |
| Weight | 9 lbs. |
| Magazine Capacity | 7 rounds |
| Frame Finish | Case-Hardened |
| Barrel Finish | Blue |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Sights | Fixed front sight, rear ladder sight |
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Spencer Carbine different from other lever-action rifles?
The Spencer was one of the first truly successful repeating rifles, designed by Christopher Miner Spencer in the 1860s. It pioneered the use of self-contained metallic cartridges in a lever-action platform, giving it major speed and reliability advantages over muskets and revolvers of its day. This 1865 model represents Spencer's refined design, correcting flaws from the earlier 1860 version.
Is this rifle suitable for hunting or just historical collecting?
The facts provided describe this as a faithful reproduction of the 1865 Spencer Carbine. We recommend consulting the manufacturer's guidance and your local hunting regulations to determine appropriate use cases for this specific rifle and caliber.
What sights come on this Spencer Carbine?
The rifle features a fixed front sight and a rear ladder sight. The rear sight can be adjusted for elevation, allowing you to dial in your point of aim across different distances.
What ammunition does the .56-50 Spencer Carbine use?
This rifle is chambered in .56-50 Spencer, the original cartridge designed for Spencer rifles. It uses seven-round magazines and fires metallic cartridges that are unaffected by moisture—a major advantage of the Spencer design over the black-powder muskets it competed against.
Firearm Shipments:
To buy rifles or shotguns, you must be 18 years old, and for handguns, actions, or receivers, the minimum age is 21. By placing an order for this firearm, you confirm that you are the legitimate transferee/buyer, meet the legal age requirements, and comply with all Federal, State, and local laws and regulations necessary to purchase this firearm.
We only ship firearms to valid Federal Firearms License (FFL) holders. At checkout we provide a FFL locator for your convenience.
We will need a copy of the FFL’s license to facilitate the process, kindly request your dealer to email us a copy of their FFL, as we cannot dispatch the firearm until we receive this document. It is imperative for the buyer to choose their FFL dealer, ensure they are willing to facilitate the transfer, and have them email their FFL copy to BOSQUE Outdoors. To avoid any confusion, the customer's name or order number must be mentioned in the email containing the FFL.
Email: [email protected]
- Prior to placing an order, it is the buyer's responsibility to understand and adhere to their state's firearm regulations.
- The buyer should verify with their receiving dealer that the chosen firearm is legally permissible in their state.
- The buyer is accountable for any transfer fees or background check charges imposed by the receiving dealer. If the designated dealer declines to accept the firearm delivery, the buyer assumes responsibility for shipping costs to retrieve the firearm and resend it to an accommodating dealer.
- Handguns will be shipped using air transportation, while long guns can be shipped using ground methods. If your order includes a mix of firearm and non-firearm items, BOSQUE Outdoors will send the firearm(s) to your selected FFL dealer and the remaining non-firearm items to your billing address.
- Firearms cannot be returned to BOSQUE Outdoors; please contact the manufacturer for warranty claims.
- Firearms refused by the FFL Dealer or which cannot be transferred due to a failed background check are subject to a $75 restocking fee plus 10% of the purchase price.

