Hi Gang,
Time for an update on the Spencer Bayonet project.
Attached are a couple of pics of original Spencer bayonets and the Armi-Sport Spencer Rifle. Notice that (as Herbert correctly surmised) the placement of the front sight on the AS Spencer is significantly different from that of an original.
The original bayonet will fit, but when attached, the bayonet's socket extends about .48 inch past the muzzle of the rifle. If the mortise of the bayonet is elongated in order to make it fit the AS Spencer, the locking ring will not engage the bottom of the sight and the bayonet will be able to slide forward and back.
The question I have now is which re-enactors might prefer:
A) An exact copy of an original Spencer Bayonet that fits incorrectly, or...
B) A reproduction bayonet that is similar in style to an original bayonet, but that has been modified so as to fit properly on the AS Spencer (but that will not fit an original Spencer).
I tend to lean toward option B, but I wanted to see what others thought.
I welcome your feedback.