What would have been the date of manufacture based on the serial number 53299?
Does anyone know what regiment this Spencer carbine would have been issued to?
![](http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd346/drm2m/DSC00175-1.jpg)
![](http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd346/drm2m/DSC08754.jpg)
![](http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd346/drm2m/DSC08757-2.jpg)
ESA inspector’s marking. (Erskine S. Allin)
As well as two other inspectors’ cartouches----does anyone recognize these inspectors’ initials?
![](http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd346/drm2m/Third%20Album/CartouchesonthisSpencercarbine-CWandIWperiodperhaps_zps66f82804.jpg)
After the Civil War the Spencer carbine was one of the guns that were chosen for alteration by the Springfield Armory between 1867-1874.
Over 11,000 carbines were altered to accommodate the 50-caliber copper cased rimfire (56-52 and 56-50 interchangeable) cartridge.
A small swivel device known as the “Stabler cut-off “was added forward of the trigger to allow for use as a single shot (it keeps the breech from opening completely).
The modified carbines bear an “ESA” inspectors mark in an oval cartouche on the left side of the stock.
![](http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd346/drm2m/ESA_cartouche-1.jpg)
Erskine S. Allin.
![](http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd346/drm2m/ErskineSAllin.gif)
Thanks,
David