Liege Armory Spencer Carbine, centerfire .50 cal
I have recently acquired an odd variant of Spencer Carbine. It is stamped Union Armoriere Belge Liege on the receiver just forward of the breech, and there is a stamp on the butt that reads Fal/SSE & Trapmann 1873 Liege. There are various armory stamps all over the rifle on the metal and wood, and all serial numbers match. I think without checking that it is 1607. The rifle appears set up for a .50 caliber centerfire cartridge and is in very good condition. There is no corrosion, all lettering and numbering is clear and unabraided, and all parts are there. I was not aware that Spencer manufactured a belgian carbine in centerfire, and have no indication of the history on it. Any information as to history and value would be appreciated.
Anthony S. Dull
Anthony S. Dull
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What you have is a Belgian knock off of the Model 1865 Spencer carbine. In the 1800's Belgian gun factories made copies of nearly all the successful designs,not only American. I know of Belgian copies of Colts,Smith & Wessons,Remingtons and Winchesters,but this is the first Spencer that I have heard of. Trapmann was a well known maker in the 1870's-1880's. Some of these Belgian guns are junk and others are of excellent quality. Your carbine may or may not be originally a centerfire. The original Spencer was a rimfire,but conversion breech blocks have been around for at least 30 years. In fact I have one in one of my Spencers. 56-50 Spencer cartridges can be made by cutting off .50-70 brass to 1.156 inches and reduceing the rim to .639 inch and use a bullet of .512 inch diameter. As to value I really don't know what to say. Your carbine would be of intrust to collectors of Indian War weapons,however,the value would be less then that of an original Spencer. I know that this doesn't answer all of your questions,but hope that it is of some help. Scout 0
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