M1871 Springfield Spencer Infantry Rifle conversion usage

[ndnchf]

I'm looking at a very nice M1871 Springfield Spencer conversion rifle. I've read that about 1100 Burnside M1865s were converted by SA in 1871 and that they were put in storage, moved around a bit and then eventually sold off.  From what I've read, it does not appear that they were every issued to US troops, even on a trial basis.  So what happened to them?  Has anyone seen reference to their use by civilians or a period photo of one?  Where they sold to France during the Franco-Prussian war?  I've seen a few others on the net, so there are a few around, but not many. 

I see them listed in a 1927 Bannerman's catalog, so they must have had a quantity of them at one time.

I've searched the archives and read a number of posts by "WCR".  I sent him an email, but recieved no reply.  I'd be very interested in hearing from anyone who has one.    Thanks

[Dana]

Hello, I have 71 Springfield Spencer rifle that I have been shooting over a year, I compete in Silhouette shooting at 200yds, I'm up against Sharps and alot of newer black powder rifles, I don't win, but I do have allot of fun ! I have my rifle sent up with better open sights, I made adaptors so no mods where done to the rifle, you can see one mod if you go to dana and under May 2 there is a picture or what I have done with the help of friend Ron. Anyway I think they are nice looking rifle.

[Two Flints]

Dana,

Would you post some photos of your Springfield Spencer?

Thanks,

Two Flints

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[ndnchf]

Dana - your tang sight mount is quite ingenius and looks well executed.  From what I understand, the original rear sight that SA used on these conversions is from the M1868 trapdoor. I have one of these trapdoors and know the sight can be diffucult on older eyes.  Ii is likely that Springfield Armory did not bother to recalibrate the rear sight either, despite the difference in ballistics between the .56-50 and .50 Govt.   Did you find this to be the case with your rifle?

Which centerfire conversion block did you use?  Were there any particular issues installing it besides the normal fitting?   
Thanks

[Dana]

Hello,

The both the front and rear sight where almost useless for me, bad eyes, I made adapters for both front and rear so I could shoot in competition matches, I bought all the parts required to make it centerfire from S & S Firearms. There was not much fitting to do. I made sure that I did not alter my rifle, so someday it could go back to the orginal condition. Gland to see you bought the rifle, I would post pictures of mine but don't have the ability to do so.

[ndnchf]

It's aweful quiet around the campfire here, is everyone on vacation?  Well, to break the monotony, I'll give you'all an update on what I'm doing. 

I ordered the S&S centerfire block and magazine follower a couple days ago.  While waiting for that I decided to give the rifle a good cleaning and thorough mechanical inspection.  I removed the lever and block assembly and cleaned it and the inside of the receiver.  Everything looked in good shape.  There was a minor ding in the chamber from dry firing.  I got that smoothed down with very careful use of a jeweler's file.  I scrubbed the bore and it looks nice and shiny, but has a few spots of corrosion.  Can't do anything about that, but I think it will still shoot well.  I slugged the bore and it came out .5145" in the grooves. Then I went to work on the magazine tube and plunger assembly.  I disassembled the follower and spring and cleaned and lightly oiled everything.  Scrubbed out the mag tube in the stock and lightly oiled it too.  I removed the lock and closely inspected the tumbler and sear.  They looked fine.  I cleaned and lubricated the lock and reinstalled it. 

So the rifle is in good shape and I'm ready to procede with fitting the new block.  Just waitng on the guy in the big brown truck to show up - where is he

This weekend I plan to cast some Lyman 515139D and Rapine 350S bullets.  I have some starline brass which may or may not work.  But I'll try it first, if extraction is not reliable, I'll probably get some starline .50-70 brass and cut it down.  I have some Dixie .50-70 which is fine brass, but from what I've read here, it"s a little thicker at the mouth than the starline after being cut down.   

[Herbert]

I have found that the Starline brass needs to be anealed befor using for the fist time for best extraction.As you have removed the bur from the chamber I will be very suprised indeed if you do not get good extraction with anealed Starline brass.Another thing you might concider is to get a compression die,if you intend to put 40gr + of FF BP in the 56-50 case this is absolutly nesacery (compresing powder with the bullet can deform the bullet and lead to all sorts of problems)

[ndnchf]

I've annealed a few of the starlines to make up dummy rounds.  If I get it feeding and extracting well with them, I'll anneal the rest.  I have a compression plug I use with my .50-95, so I should be all set.  Just need bullets and the new block.

[ndnchf]

Dang - got confused and put this in the wrong thread.I meant to put it in my other M1871 rifle thread. Sorry about that.