L. A. Jensen - Replica Spiller & Burr

[bprevolver]

I am trying to get more information on the replica Spiller and Burr revolvers made by L. A. Jensen of Lake City, Florida. They were produced in the 1950's making them the very first produced replica revolvers. Anybody ever run across one of these are ever even heard of them?

 

[Robert an saa fan]

Sorry, do not know these.

Do you know if they were marked the same as originals? Or how they were marked, if at all?

 

[mykeal]

Send a note off to the RPRCA (Replica Percussion Revolver Collector's Association). They might be able to help.

 

[Robert an saa fan]

No offense intended.

Original poster is the owner of the site you linked. This is per his forum profile.

 

[Zonie]

Well he should take a reference to his place as a great compliment if you ask me.

I looked thru several old books about muzzleloading from the early '70's and didn't see any reference to L. A. Jensen of Lake City, Florida so I can't help in this quest.

 

[torn moc]

The Spiller & Burr is one of my Favorites. I have been watching the auction sites for 10 years and have never seen one listed....In fact I have only seen about 6 or 7 Spillers listed in that time...
but none were produced by Jensen...

 

[bprevolver]

I will share what I have found out about the L.A. Jensen Spiller & Burr revolvers. They were produced in Lake City, Florida. They were the very first replica revolvers produced. They were produced from around 1952-1960, predating Navy Arms by 8yrs. They are in .44cal rather than the .36cal as the original Spiller & Burr. Number made and more info from anyone who may have seen or know of one would be greatly appreciated. From postings on Forums I have located #0049 and #0029. I bought #0026 & 0027 in a cased set on Gun Broker in October, 2002 for $300.

 

[Zonie]

I wonder of the .44 caliber was due to the great concern that was prevalent in the 1950's by collectors?

During that period there was great concern that a reproduction of an original C&B gun could and would be "aged" and passed off as an original by unscrupulous people.

I know that this fear is the reason that the Italian and Belgian companies intentionally made the rifling twist in the 'wrong direction' and stamped their proof markings in areas that would be very noticeable and difficult to remove.

Do these reproductions use the rebated cylinder often seen on the Italian pistols which are made in .44 caliber rather than the correct .36 caliber ?

 

[bprevolver]

They have straight cylinders. They are not brass but some alloy that appears to be brass but will not polish with brass, silver, gold or other polishes used on these metals. Frames are machined and not cast or forged. Very fine machine work.