Spencer rifle identification help

[jonnyb]

Hi all

I am a newby from Calgary Canada.
I have read some of your blogs and find them really informative.

I have a model 1860 Spencer 3 band rifle that I was hoping someone could help identify?

The serial number is 2196 and there is "P" cartouche on the stock.

I would really like to know more about this rifle and any help would be greatly appreciated.

And of course being a newbie I originally posted in the wrong forum...sorry








                                            (Photos added by Two Flints)

Kind regards
Jon

[Two Flints]

Hi JonnyB,

I would be very interested in seeing photos of your Spencer bayonet as I have been searching for one for several years now with no luck, at least within my price range.  Please send the photos to my Email address.

I will be adding your alias to my posse list!  Thanks for joining SSS.

I did research your Spencer rifle with serial # 2196 and it most probably was issued to a member of the 5th Independent Company of Ohio Volunteer Sharp Shooters on August 16, 1863.  Are there any other letters besides the "P" in the cartouche?  It is an inspectors mark, but there should be more than just one letter in the cartouche.  In my research books there are quite a few Spencer serial #s higher and lower than your #2196 and all were issued to the same unit as mentioned above, 5th (or 7th) Independent Company of Ohio Volunteer Sharp Shooters.

Hope this helps,

Two Flints

[jonnyb]

Thank you very much Two Flints.

I will send pics as we discussed.

Jon

[Arizona Trooper]

Your serial number doesn't come up in the Springfield Research Service books, but most of the rifles in that range went to the 5th, 6th and 7th Ohio Sharpshooters. Those units served as Gnl. Sherman's headquarters guards. In fact, the 7th was known as Sherman's Bodyguards. 

[jonnyb]

Hi Arizona Trooper

This is so cool and I am very excited.

Thank you.

I have spent the entire morning reading up on the 5th Ohio Volunteer sharp shooters.
My brother is based in Dayton and will ask him he if can find anything more on the Ohio Volunteer Sharp shooters.

Thanks Again.

[Jobe Holiday]

Respectfully, if the "P Cartouche" you are referring to is the letter "P" shown in the photo of the butt stock, it is a personalization mark, and not an inspector's mark.

J.

[jonnyb]

Hey Jobe

That P was the only mark I could find other than a stamped "Z" (Or could be an "N" behind the trigger guard.


                                            (Photo added by Two Flints)

Jon