Research Request

[nactorman]

Got a research request.

I am interested in obtaining a list of CW units who were equipped with Spencers (in part or whole).
I'm not looking for specifics, just a comprehensive list of regiments who received them.

Thanks.

Charles

[Two Flints]

Nactorman,

Here is a starter list of Spencer Rifles assigned to Civil War units as listed in John D. McAulay's book, Civil War Breechloading Rifles.



Two Flints

[Trailrider]

Can you imagine how the battle of Battery Wagner (film "Glory") might have turned out if the 54th Mass. had the Spencer rifles they were later issued when the regiment was reconstituted? Might have been a whole different story.

[Two Flints]

And here is a list (with other carbines mentioned) of Civil War units issued Spencer Carbines . . . you will have to sort through the list, as taken from John D. McAulay's book, Carbines of the U.S. Cavalry.









Two Flints

[Two Flints]

Nactorman,

May I ask what kind of research you are doing on Spencers?  Will you need any photographs of me  I have some very nice 13" x 19" color portraits of myself holding my Spencer Rifle . . . or carbine, which ever Spencer you prefer at a very reasonable cost

Two Flints

[Arizona Trooper]

Keep in mind that the numbers changed constantly. In mid 1863, most of the Spencers (rifles at that point) were issued in the west. Other than the ones in 5th and 6th Mich., practically every Spencer made was in Tenn. By early 1865, just about every front line cavalry unit, east or west, was armed with Spencer carbines.

[matt45]

What a logistical nightmare!

[nactorman]

Sorry for the long delay responding. I appreciate everyone's input. As I suspected, there must not be any comprehensive list. I was just doing a little research on several battles (different campaigns) and was curious whether any Spencers might have been used. The easiest way - or so I supposed - to find out was the check the Orders of Battle against a list of units known to have carried Spencers at some point, then to check the dates the unit's received their repeaters.

Thanks everyone for the help.