*** Photos Added *** Spencer Carbine Serial Number Info Please

jsmosby · February 12, 2014, 07:51:31 PM

The serial number of the carbine in question is 27060. I've had this piece in my collection for several years and am just now getting back into CW collecting and revisiting my "old friends" after several side trip to WWI and WWII. I believe it to be all original, not messed with and, potentially, a shooter which I won't do at the moment. I've read the "disclaimer" and agree with all aspects. I certainly appreciate your shared knowledge and can only hope I can reciprocate.

Take care,
John

Arizona Trooper · February 12, 2014, 09:53:34 PM

27057 shows up in the 19th NY Cav in October of 1864. Other nearby numbers are reported in the 3rd & 6th Mich, 3rd & 6th NY and 1st Vt.

Are you located in J.S. Mosby's area of Va.?

jsmosby · February 13, 2014, 05:52:55 AM

Thank you for the information. It will be added to the record.

Yes, I'm located in the far northern reaches of Mosby's Confederacy near Frederick, MD. Years ago I had the opportunity to purchase a Hope saddle used by a member of Mosby's group. About the same time the internet was gaining traction and I needed a username. Well, I was excited and pumped about the saddle, doing much research on the original owner, Winchester Durham Belvin, and started using that name, jsmosby, in many venues. BTW, my initials are also JSM. Thanks for asking!
Take care,
John

Two Flints · February 13, 2014, 08:00:26 AM

Hi John,

Here is the listing from my SRS books and where your Spencer Carbine serial falls in sequence with those listed . . . so you can see the other possible units your carbine may have been issued to . . .

Two Flints

Arizona Trooper · February 13, 2014, 09:45:27 PM

JSM, I grew up just across the river in Loudoun Co., Va. My mom's family is all from Carrol Co., Md., so we would go through Fredrick pretty regularly.

You ought to come to the N-SSA Spring National over in Winchester. They just started scoring Spencer teams separately in repeater, so there should be several of us on the line. I'm working on getting a Spencer team together from our unit.

jsmosby · February 14, 2014, 08:27:22 PM

Um, you've piqued my interest. I never thought about shooting this piece before, but, I just might. Phillosophically, I don't shoot my "antiques", but I'm open to options. I went over to the Winchester shoot just to see what was going on year ago, interesting. Please keep me up to date.

Here are photos that your terrific, dedicated and super moderator, Two Flints offered to post for me. He is a terrific moderator to say the least

Thanks, John

jsmosby · February 16, 2014, 08:23:51 PM

Fred,
Thanks for your help in posting to share. Fantastic if you do say so yourself

When I bought this piece I was able to compare five or six at this show just north of Baltimore. I was abel to go back and forth comparing little things that were important to me. Mint unused guns, swords, etc just have never appealed to me other than being able to view and compare something as it once was for those that I am eying. I selected this one because: I liked the wear on the front site maybe indicating many excursions in and out of a socket or scabbard, the saddle ring bar wear in the corners, the "feel" of the wood being smooth and almost polished from handling, the contrasting darker color of the wood around the wrist, cheek and forearm from sweat and oiil, the matching patina of the feeder tube with the rest of the metal and appropriate wear on the moving parts when I detail disassembled to clean and lube. Not knowing what I'd see on the innards I was was impressed with the fit and machining skill that was evident throughout. The action is crisp and the grooves and lands sharp. I have know doubt it'd function beautifully. I hope to get more photos posted within the next couple of weeks. Enjoy!
Take care, John

Trailrider · February 16, 2014, 10:22:22 PM

Just as a point of information. It is known that Mosby's raiders had some Spencers. The question has been sometimes asked as to how these Spencers were supplied with the highly specialized rimfire ammo. It was very simple...they took them off of Federal baggage trains. No problem!

jsmosby · February 17, 2014, 06:57:48 AM

Thanks, Traillrider. I didn't know that about Mosby Spencer use. Everytime I drive down to Winchester, VA, I travel the road towards Berryville where there was a significant wagon train attack by Mosby. My wife gets concerned when my eyes glaze over and I have another out of body experience.

RobMancebo · March 24, 2014, 05:17:41 PM

Also, remember that Blazer's men were sent out after the Gray Ghost armed with Spencers. So there was always ammunition available if the Partisan Rangers just waited for 'Old Blaze' to catch up to them then took it in ambush.

- Blazer and his Spencer riflemen got closer to stopping Mosby than most. By not abusing the locals they were able to move around without every southerner in the area running to warn the Rangers. The two groups treated each other professionally yet worked hard at wiping each other out. After the war, they met at a reunion and the former adversaries embraced each other like long lost brothers.

Two Flints · March 24, 2014, 06:50:46 PM

Rob,

Thank you for your post and interesting comments.

Two Flints

jsmosby · April 04, 2014, 06:59:20 PM

Interesting about Blazer. I've got a saddle once owned by on one of Mosby's troopers. Fought Blazer once, was wounded and that was the end of war for him. I metal detected the site finding essentilly nothing but farming items. Apparently, the area was "mined" for clay to be used for building bricks, so, there are probably bricks out there with something from the skirmish/or not. He lived to a ripe old age, apparently a rather nasty rascal, Winshester Durham Belvin. Here's a link to some pictures <http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?254197-WTS-Civil-War-Confederate-Cavalry-Mosby-Group&highlight=saddle> (Not sure I want to sell it anymore as I learn more and more from this group. $:-\$ )