Spencer rifle Franco Prussian War 1870

[Fred]

an other

[Fred]

The last picture show a Spencer rifle Navy Model with the specific fixation but the soldier received a French model 1847 bayonet socket with the rifle .

[Strongbow]

I know this thread is old, but I wanted to post how excited I am by it, since I just got notification that my NM Spencer has arrived from France and should be waiting for me at home.  Fred, if you still read this, thanks for all the wonderful information!

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[Herbert]

Most of the Spencers I have seen that came out of Europe(not all) have German proof or ownership mark on the barrel,to me this does ad credence to the story that the were either war capture or war reperation obtained by German states.This Crown over a V also appears on Peabody rifles that turn up ,booth rifles were French contract rifles and Germany never had a contract for either rifle ,so the me the capture or war reperation  by German states seems to me as the most likely explanation for these German marked rifles,especialy as most seem to turn up in very good condition,the Germans looked after rifles that they put into stores very well indeed

[Strongbow]

Thanks Herbert.  I'll look for those markings.  Where would they normally be?  So far in the photos I have, I just see the expected Spencer Company markings.

[Herbert]

They will be found on the left side of the barrel just forward of the frame and often on top of the frame in front of the Spencer address as well