stock markings?

[KEN S]

I've posted this a long time ago,but thought I'd try again. I can't be the only one.

   I have a Spencer 1865 Burnside carbine, four digit sn. 193x,  and shoot it regularly.
   It has markings on the butt stock, the numbers 320, deeply sampled and very old.
   The three numbers are 1 1/8 inches across and 1//4 high.  they are parallel with the butt
   plate about centered with the loading tube. 
 
     Does anyone else have any such markings?   or any ideas on what they are?
    The gun is in all original sharp condition, and while showing it's age, is a real shooter.
     56 50 and shoots into 2 inches at 50 yards...some groups smaller than that if I do
     my part. 
       Thanks...Ken
     

[Ibgreen]

Possibly that was the rack number in the armory it was stored in.  Did it go through refurbishment after the war?

[Blair]

It is really hard to say what these stampings are or were intended to identify. They are not standard and may vary from place to place as well as organization to organization.
Rack and or Billet Numbering for the placement and/or storage/ownership of the arm would seem to be the most likely reasoning.
My best,
Blair

[Rim fire]

I have a Spencer rifle, serial # 2664 that has the number 114 stamp in the same location relit ice to the butt plate and the same size #.  Must be post war.  I don't believe they stamped them in this fashion during the war, but I could be wrong.

[KEN S]

interesting guys.   I think it's a rack number too,a but from where?   wish it could talk.
this is a post war Burnside, redone at Springfield with the lower part of the marking almost buffed off, as they all were
when armory refinished.  I'm thinking western use.
  The numbers have been there for the life of the gun for sure.
  Interesting another low number gun has the same type markings. 

     any more out there?   thanks...Ken

[Two Flints]

How about photos of these markings for those of you who have Spencers with such markings.

Two Flints

[KEN S]

I have to e mail them to you to post...but sure... Ken

[St. George]

A 'lot' of Spencers found their way overseas before returning to these shores.

Foreign armies marked their small arms more often than we did - usually on the butt, with numerical stamps.

When encountering brass disks - they're most generally at the top heel of the butt, and the piece has been in a museum, someplace - and has now been deaccessioned - though some think that those are unit markings.

They're not - they're inventory tags.

If unit-marked, it was often done with paint, or numerical and letter stamp - 'A-22D INF'.

I've seen Spencers, Sharps carbines, Trapdoors, Krags and '03's marked thusly - we stopped doing it as dramatically after WWI - shifting to simple stencils.

Scouts Out!