Originally manufactured during the Civil War era as a saddle ring carbine. This particular Spencer was converted to sporting rifle configuration shortly after the war by Bachner Bros. of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Ernest and Bernard Bachner were twin brothers born in Prussia, c. 1844. The brothers learned the gunsmith trade before coming to America c. 1865 where Ernest held a position with a gun manufactory in Washington, D. C., and Bernard went West to Eau Claire, Wisconsin. About a year later both bothers relocated to Minneapolis and established Bachner Brothers. Minneapolis became a hub for westward movement and trade due to its strategic placement along the Mississippi River. For settlers seeking rapid firepower for their journey westward, these Spencer conversions represented a lower cost alternative than the Henry and early Winchester lever actions of the period. The top flat of the heavy barrel is marked "BACHNER BROS/MINNEAPOLIS/MINN". It is fitted with a German silver blade front sight, an adjustable notch rear sight, and the saddle ring bar on the left was professionally removed.