Serial number info. needed for a M1860 & M1865

[vettime82]

First I must say I was fortunate to find this site that has people who devote their time and have the resourses to find information for other members. I am the proud owner of two model Spencers and would appreciate any additional information on them.

The first is a M1860 Spencer Carbine serial # 13419. I was told by the family that sold it to me it was used by a relative in the
147th Pennsylvania Regiment.
The second is a M1865 Spencer Crbine serial # 1603.

                                               Much thanks,
                                                Bob Thomen

[Two Flints]

Hi vettime82,

First of all,  you really have to read and understand my standard disclaimer that I print out for everyone, who requests Spencer serial # information.  So, here it is:

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 maybe 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, to make identification even more difficult, there are huge and multiple  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 I find listed in my SRS volume(s).  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  MAY  have been assigned to the same unit.  Or, if your Spencer serial number is very, very close to another Spencer serial number in my SRS volume(s),  I assume your Spencer MAY have been issued to the same unit.

I call this "unscientific conjecture" 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.   I certainly and absolutely make no claim to the accuracy of my "unscientific conjecture" and you should use the information I offer only if you want to, and not to accept it as "Gospel".  

Other SSS members and even guests of SSS may post a comment suggesting that my serial # information is completely inaccurate,  but haven't I already done that with my disclaimer?  

In any case, the serial # information I provide is only a starting point, at best, and you should perhaps research the history of your Spencer Carbine with whatever resources you can find on the Internet or else where.

Now, regarding your Spencer Carbine or rifle, serial # 13419, according to my SRS Volume, I find that your Spencer Carbine may have been issued or re-issued to a member of Company I, 3rd Michigan Volunteer Cavalry, on or about May, 1864.

See the photo below:



With Regard to your M-1865 Spencer, please read the following information taken from the "Spencer Bible" Roy M. Marcot book, Spencer Repeating Firearms



NO SERIAL # information/lists exist for the Spencer M-1865 Carbines.

Two Flints

[vettime82]

Thank you for taking the time to research my request.

                                            Much appreciated,
                                                     Bob