Franco-Prussian War Peabody Military Rifle

NSN, .43 Spanish, 33" barrel with an excellent, bright bore.  This is one of the approximately 33,000 "Spanish Model" Peabody rifles delivered to the French government out of a 39,000 piece contract prior to the end of the Franco-Prussian War of 1871.  The barrel has 85-90% of the original blue finish remaining, with mild gray fading at the muzzle, as well as a few tiny spots of wear scattered along its length.  The frame has muted original color case-hardening remaining, with some mild fading along the exposed edges of the hammer and lever, and scattered areas of freckling visible on the sides.  The breech of the barrel and top of the receiver have the "(crown) / V" proof (this is the "Vorratszeichen" inspection stamp applied to obsolete or captured guns held in military inventories that had not undergone full German proofing applied after passage of the German proof laws of 1891).  The walnut buttstock and forend are in good-very good condition with numerous small handling marks and blemishes throughout, heaviest on the left side of the wrist.  The original Peabody inspector cartouche is faint, but just barely visible on the left side of the wrist.  The original metal ramrod is still present, and the action is tight, still functioning flawlessly.  This is a very nice Peabody military rifle, with interesting historical significance, and is in very good-fine condition overall.   Antique