Very interested on finding any info regarding spencer serial# for display info

[sdbrithehunter]

Hello SSS Posse,

My father has been an avid collector of historical items from the pioneer days clear back to the first humans to inhabit our area of the great plains. He gives several presentations every year to various groups and schools discussing various historical topics. The state of SD recently built a museum to display some of his items and to tell the story of the history of the area. He acquired a Spencer carbine years ago that he has on display and would very much to find out any information regarding the history of the rifle so the information can be put in the museum. The serial number is #33097. Any information anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated.

I would like to join the Spencer shooting society so others can hopefully help my father find out some information on his rifle. The museum is located in the state park at Lake Poinsett here in NE South Dakota. http://www.sdgfp.info/parks/regions/GlacialLakes/LakePoinsett.htm

Thank you very much
Brian L. Olson

[Two Flints]

Hello SDbrithehunter,

Thanks for joining our Spencer Shooting Society!

The initial reply you received to your post was from one of our Spencer Shooting Society members, Herbert, from Australia.  I have some additional information that may be of interest to you.  But, please first read my standard disclaimer regarding Spencer Serial # information:

Some time ago I acquired the four volume set of the Springfield Research Service (SRS) Serial Numbers of U.S. Martial Arms. I purchased the set so I could help SSS members identify which unit their original Spencer Carbine or rifle was issued or assigned to during, and perhaps, after the Civil War.

Unfortunately, not all the Spencer serial numbers are listed in the four volume set I own. And, there are gaps between indicated serial numbers. This paragraph is a DISCLAIMER of sorts. As a courtesy to SSS members, I am happy to reveal to you the information I have regarding the serial number of your Spencer carbine or rifle. But, please remember, I am just regurgitating what I read in my SRS volumes with some "unscientific conjecture" on my part . What I do is the following: I take your Spencer serial number and try to place it in between the two closest serial numbers to yours listed in my SRS volume. In most cases, if the serial numbers for the Spencer before and after your own serial number were issued to the same unit, I assume your Spencer went to the same unit. Or, if your Spencer serial number is very, very close to another Spencer serial number, I assume your Spencer went to the same unit. I call this the "Two Flints guesstimation"). I'm guessing and estimating at the same time on what I believe to be correct information based upon the information I find in my four volume set of SRS. If the information is lacking in correctness and or accuracy, it ain't my fault. I'm just doing the best that I can do with what I have to work with. And that is the best that I can do for you.

Having written all the above,  I went through my SRS books and discovered that I had an exact match for your (1860) Spencer Carbine serial # 33097 to a Spencer Carbine listed in my SRS book, Volume IV.  Your Spencer Carbine was most probably issued or re-issued to a member of Company F, 19th New York Volunteer Cavalry on or about September, 1865.  

Two Flints

[sdbrithehunter]

I called my father with the news about his rifle and he was THRILLED to find out the information! Thank you so very much! He extends his thanks to you and your forum. I plan on having him check out your forum when he comes over to my house soon. He would be a valuable member for various forums with his extensive knowledge of historical information. We are going to try and trace the history of the rifle further to try and figure out how it ended up here in the midwest. The rifle is in pretty good condition but is missing the hammer, so we are speculating possibly the rifle was just discarded when it was unable to fire.

[Herbert]

without more information or a photo it is posible your carbine could be one of 3 modles (1) a civil war 56-56 carbine,comly called the 1860 modle (2) a springfield converted civil war 56-56 to 56-50,this will have a liner solded in the barel(you can often see solder at the breach when the action is open)and a stabler cutoff fited(looks lick a harf wingnut in front of triger)   (3)a burncide modle 1865 contract spencer 56-50 carbine this will have SPENCER REPEATING RIFLE/PAT D  MARCH 6. 1860/MANUF,D AT PROV.R.I/BY BURNSIDE RIFLE CO./MODLE 1865 . this will be stamped on top flat of the reciver  ,these have 20 inch barells ,the civil war modle and the springfield conversion have 22 inch barells .All these modles can have the same serial number so if you could post pictures it would make identerfcation easier.If the serial number was below 24000 it could also be a 1865 Spencer made rifle or carbine macking 5 difrent models whith that serial number,hence the need for more information.And to make it even more confusing Spencer sporting rifles can be in this sieral number range,not to mention the nurmures gunsmith conversions

[Two Flints]

Hi SDbrithehunter,

Like Herbert has suggested, posting photos of your Spencer Carbine would be great to see.  Just send them along to me at my Email address, fsgrand2@fairpoint.net ,  and I will post them for you!

Herbert thanks for re-posting your information.  It is very much appreciated!

Two Flints

[sdbrithehunter]

I will go take some photos of the spencer as soon as I can so they can be posted. I can maybe try to go on thursday since I have the day off from work and the weather sound like it may be decent. My dad has a few photos but I will go take some more detailed ones. I greatly appreciate everyone's help with finding out more about the gun.

[Jobe Holiday]

Two Flints -

I like your disclaimer on serial numbers. I've played the "serial number game" for years, with very little luck. I, too, have the same set of books that you have, which by the way are no longer available. Springfield Research Service is under new ownership and the new owner is not interested in sharing the information publicly. So, take good care of that set of books!

I tried one time to research a serial number from an early Spencer Rifle through the four volume set of books, and the additional serial numbers that were printed in the quarterly SRS publications, but never included in the books. The number was 4453.

The numbers that I found were:

4445 (9th Mich. Vol. Cav.)
4450 (72nd Ind. Vol. Inf.)
4451 (9th Mich. Vol. Cav.)
4452 (2nd W.VA Vol. Cav.)
4453 (My research point, no listing)
4485 (148th Penna. vol. Inf.)

It is quite interesting to see three consecutive serial numbers listed with three different Regiments, and the fourth consecutive serial number not shown anywhere. I once had the opportunity to see a Government packing list that accompanied a shipment of Model 1873 Springfield Carbines that went to one of the forts on the Western frontier. The carbines were new, unissued, shipped from the Springfield Armory, and not one of the twenty numbers was consecutive. As I remember it, they covered a range of some 1500+ numbers. Serial numbers in the early days were for production inventory control, and not much else.

JDH

[fiftyfiverifle]

I have serial # 40677 that has been converted to 50 cal. Can you tell me anything about it? Thanks