M 1871 "Infantry Rifle" as altered from M1865 Spencer *** Photos Added ***

[WCR]

Thanks to all that have assisted me with the centerfire breech block, and my many other questions regarding my Spencer.
The Springfield Armory in 1871 produced just 1109 of these altered Spencer's, and unfortunately they were never issued to the Army, they were stored, then shipped to New Mexico, and then shipped back to the Rock Island Arsenal for further storage, and disposal.
Burnside Rifle Company produced the parent arm, and delivered the M 1865 carbines on April 15, 1865, 9 days after the last major battle of the Civil War.
With its Springfield barrel, new forearm made from Remington Navy blanks, and ramrod, it was quite difference in appearance from any other Spencer.
Can just hear the gun nuts of the day talking about the carbine turned rifle, with the saddle ring and ramrod, when the Spencers were sold as surplus sometime after all the travel and storage!
My thanks to Dick Hosmer, and his wonderful book 'for collectors only" about the rifles and carbines of the Springfield Armory.
















                               (Photos Posted by Two Flints)
WCR

[buckskin billy]

very nice spencer