New Model Army Rifle arrives! Pics added

[Strongbow]

So,

I bought this rifle off Gunbroker for what looked like a good deal to me (is it gauche to mention purchase price?).  It's a New Model Army rifle and it came out of France (as one might expect, since that's where many of these rifles went).  The weather is lousy, so I'll take pictures once we have some better natural light, until then I'll just give a general description. The metal had been taken to the white (as most of these were, I understand).  The receiver has some scattered light pitting, but nothing serious (it could probably be sanded out mostly, if one were inclined).  The markings are clear, displaying only the expected Spencer Company markings on the receiver, the "NM" on the barrel, and the serial number of the rear of the receiver.  

For Herbert:  No other marking indicating Imperial German possession.

The butt plate is the most marred (as expected), but it just a little old, inactive rust.  The rest of the metal is in good shape, just showing some patina, a little active rust (very little), and some old oil which has hardened to varnish.  Gonna have to get that off.  The inner magazine tube is is really good shape!  Almost looks new, if it weren't for some age patina, and dried, dirty grease, and more of the oil hardened to varnish.  The bore looks almost brand new.  It's shiny, which MAYBE some light frosting int he grooves, but it might just be dirty.  Won't know until I disassemble and clean the whole thin, but this will definitely be a great shooter. The action works smoothly, but it looks like the cartridge guide spring is broken.  It's the "Spencer patent cutoff" guide.... does it use the same guide spring?  I guess I'll have to replace the guide for use with teh CF upper breech block, anyway.  The oil on that has frozen the bit at the top that supposed to pivot, so I'll hit that with some kroil.

The lock is tight, with good positive clicks, a solid half-cock, and about a 6 pound pull at full cock. Barrel band springs all present and functional, swivels present and functional.

Wood is really nice.  It has  a lovely brown-red color.  no cracks or missing pieces. Lots of handling dents and minor dings.  I might be able to raise most of them with some steak.  A few are deep and won't come out, I think, but the wood really is in great shape form such an old rifle.

I may try some photos later, anyway, since I'm excited, but the sun really is the best illumination.

[Strongbow]

Got the action apart.  Everything looks great!  The cartridge guide spring was actually just fine.  The slot had just become so clogged with dried and hardened grease and oil that the guide did not move freely. Once I cleaned away the old grease and relubed it, it works just great.  The cut off is still stiff.  I want to try and separate the parts, but the screw on top looks slightly buggered like someone tried it before.  I'll proceed with caution there. 

The rest of the action is great.  Still showing some case colors on the blocks.  Needs a good cleaning, but looks and works as expected.  The innards of the lock look almost brand new, expect for the old grease.  The main spring looks like it might have been welded a very long time ago.  I might pick up a spare in case it gives way. The half cock and full cock detentes look immaculate and sharp.

The bore, indeed, was just a bit dusty.  It's bright and shiny. 

[Ibgreen]

I did not have to replace my new model guide.  It works just fine with the s and s block.  I am jealous that yours has markings.  Mine is void and like yours, crossed the atlantic twice.  Let me know if you need load development info.  Ps the new models handle starline brass like butter.

[Strongbow]

That's great to hear!

I'm going to use BACO's loads at first, until I get the reloading supplies I need. Seems empty brass is hard to come by!

[Ibgreen]

That's great to hear!

I'm going to use BACO's loads at first, until I get the reloading supplies I need. Seems empty brass is hard to come by!

Just be aware that the buffalo arms loads are most likely going to be too short and not feed properly.  They work fine as a single shot.  My NM rifle likes overall length to be around 2.6"

[Strongbow]

A few pics...  it's early so the sun isn't high, but I'm leaving on another trip, and wanted to get these out.  I'll work on better pics when I get back.   

[Herbert]

To me the NM Spencers with the short blade extractor are the pick of the crop for shooting.Always wanted a Spencer sporting rifle with the NM action and the single set trigger ,but when one turns up I never have the money

[Strongbow]

I think it'll be a great shooter! 

Something interesting... The serial number of this rifle is 100,7XX (can't remember the last 2 digits and the rifle is now 700 miles away).  The barrel, and receiver number do match.  According to Marcot, that serial number should be a M1867  carbine.  This is the second NM rifle I've seen in the 100,XXX range, so I must assume Marcot's serial number info is in error.

[Herbert]

The rifle may have been finished in 1888 from a mix of parts ,this is not uncommon on late model Spencers .The real proof will be in the extractor type,if it has a long blade spring assist extractor or a Lane type extractor it is made from a 1867 frame with a NM barre(some NM have Lane type extractors)l.if it has the short blade extractor it was made from a unfinished 1867 frame.Rifles of all models do turn up in serial number series that do not fit the rule,these were either made from rejected or unfished parts or on special private order.No matter what it ends up to be you have a very nice rifle

[Strongbow]

It has the short bladed extractor. Looks just like the one on Pg 145 of Marcot.  I'm finding these rifles completely fascinating.

[Herbert]

It is a proper NM then ,only the NM had the short blade extractor.R.M. Marcot does mention that some N M have turned up with 1867 model serial numbers ,he states there is no reasonable explanation for this.I think they were made using unfinished parts at the end of production possibly by Fogarty or Winchester

[Strongbow]

Makes sense to me.  Thanks a lot Herbert!  I can't wait to shoot it!

[Herbert]

I am shore it will be a great shooter.Try to find a bullet that caries plenty of lube and as mentioned original rifles work best with a cartridge over all length of L 1.58 to H 1.65 inch,I use 1.62 because that is the max length with Starline brass and the position of the crimping groove of the NEI bullet I use

[Strongbow]

The BACO centerfire breech block and some ammo loaded in cut down 50-70 cases arrived today.  The breech block fit without modification (hooray!), and the ammo drive feeds and extracts just fine using both the original and BACO breech block.  All in all, a great day.  Now I just need some range-friendly weather (don;t wanna be tramping through the snow and mud the first trip out there with this rifle

[Strongbow]

A couple of notes:

The firing pin return spring in the BACO breechblock was too strong... To the point that the hammer was not able to move it! There was a little rubbing at the rear of the block on the frame, so I filed that,  but the spring was just too strong.  I replaced the return spring with a weaker spring, and it now looks like it's working well.  The weather is still not favorable for a range trip, so I won't know if it actually works for a bit yet, but I can't see why it wouldn't now. 

Also, while the center fire block feeds and ejects cartridges using the Spencer cut-off cartridge guide, the narrower groove on the up block does cause the guide to stick up pretty high when the action is closed.   It doesn't hurt function, but it does look odd. I decided to install a standard guide, since I don't really care about the magazine cutoff feature (if I want to shoot single shot, I'll use one of my 5 Martini-Henrys).  Seemed like an easy swap, but the slot on the front of the guide is too narrow to allow the the bit on the lower block to pass through (what's the purpose of those bits? ).  I thought it would be a quick file job to widen the groove a bit.  WRONG!  That metal is HARD.  I wound up using the side of a composite cute off wheel as a grinder and doing clean-up with a diamond file.  Works great, and looks purdy again. 

[Herbert]

Does the Spencer cut-off sit higher in the BACO block than the original block,siting high makes it easy to use the cut-off and you get use to the look very quickly .I very do not use the cut-off very much but as I apreciate simple gadets that work I like looking at it and have made a new one for the AS rifle I converted to a take-down sporting rifle.I too use the Martini Henry a lot, good to see others doing so

[Strongbow]

Yeah Herbert, the design of the cutoff is very clever.  I may reinstall it some point, but it's a very easy swap out. 

And yeah, I think I've seen you over at the British Militaria forums.  I just picked up a mess of a parts Martini I'm trying to decide what to do with.

[Strongbow]

Remember I said that the mainspring looked like it had been welded? It had been, of course (in more than one spot, in fact), and the action felt kinda weak.  It's still too damned cold fro a range trip, but I did load a couple cases with primers just to check that I'll get primer ignition.  FAIL.  The mainspring was just too weak to ignite the primer.  Fortunately, I was smart enough to order a couple mainsprings.  They do break every once in a while, and I'd hate to be in a position of not having one, should the supply dry up.  I removed the mainspring from the lock, and sure enough, it was VERY compressed compared to an unwelded spring.  I think when the repair was made, it was made just to facilitate dry firing.  That is, I doubt the weapon was ever fired after the "repair."  Anyway, I fitted the replacement spring, and the action felt much stronger, and popped the primers no problem.  Now I just need it to warm up a bit!