*** Photos added *** "New" Spencer -

[Jan Buchwald]

A friend recently bought a Spencer carbine, no. 107928, in 56-50, barrel marked ELG in a cirkel (Liege Proof) on the left side. I expect it only means that it passed through Belgium at some time, way back.
Can the number bring any history forward.
Reciever has Boston adress.

[Blair]

Jan,

What is the barrel length? (from the open end of the breach to the muzzle)

Are there any markings on the top rear of the barrel? Or on top of the receiver such as Model 1865?

These are some things that may help to identify your Carbine better?
My best,
Blair

[Two Flints]

Jan,

Photos of the receiver area top, bottom and sides, would be of help.

Two Flints

[Ibgreen]

A friend recently bought a Spencer carbine, no. 107928, in 56-50, barrel marked ELG in a cirkel (Liege Proof) on the left side. I expect it only means that it passed through Belgium at some time, way back.
Can the number bring any history forward.
Reciever has Boston adress.

Is it center fire?  There was a Company making a center fire Spencer in Belgiun.

[Jan Buchwald]

Will get photos end of week, it is rimfire, and produced in US. As I remember it said NM on top of barrel

[Ibgreen]

Will get photos end of week, it is rimfire, and produced in US. As I remember it said NM on top of barrel

I have a NM that spent most of its life in France.  In my opinion, they are the best to shoot due to there ability to handle the Starline commercially made brass.

[Jan Buchwald]

Got some pictures:









Barrel is 20" long, and below forearm marked 12,7, which I guess would be the Belgian cal. The crowned ELG was in use from 1893, as far as I can find

[Snakeeater]

The markings are "reproof" marks, circa 1893-1925: bearing both Birmingham, England (crown/R), and Liege, Belgium (i.e. the Liege mercat cross for the provisional proof, and crown/ELG in oval for the definitive proof). The Merchandise Marks Act of 1887 required all foreign-made guns to be re-proofed before they could be resold domestically or for export. For example, a gun made in Birmingham may be proved in London, and a foreign-made gun may bear the Birmingham or the London Proof Mark, therefore that the proof mark is not an indication of origin, but simply a test made at a certain place.

For although English, Belgian, and German Proof Marks frank guns of English, Belgian, and German manufacture in all three countries, a gun of English manufacture bearing a Belgian or German Proof Mark only is an "unproved" gun, if offered for sale in England as an English gun. Like postal letters, guns must bear the stamp of the country of their origin. -- [The Causes of Decay in a British Industry" (1907) by "Artifex" and "Opifex"]

[Herbert]

Ready for use ,fitted with a S&S center -fire block

[Jan Buchwald]

I have seen the crowned R on danish revolvers made by belgian gun maker Ronge, don't think this is a Birmingham mark. Breech block shouldn't have been on the picture, sorry, it is from my Burnside Spencer, and didn't fit well.