Need help with Serial Number of Spencer Carbine

[Tyree]

Hi,
I've recently found this website and am wondering if anyone has information on Serial Numbers for Spencer Carbines.  I have what I believe is a Model 1860 Spencer Carbine, serial number 12,571 that looks like it has had the barrel re-lined with 3-grooves and has had a Stabler cut-off added.  The barrel is 22 inches long, and the magazine tube base looks like a Civil War style.  A gunsmith I showed it to says that he thinks it is in very good shape (for it's age), but the Spencer Name / patent date / model number stamping that is forward of the breech is very worn, and only the first few letters are readable, so I can't tell for sure what model it is.  Can anyone who has serial number information tell me anything about this particular carbine (12,571)? I'm curious to know when it was issued, and to whom, if that's possible.  Thanks!!

[Two Flints]

Hello Tyree,

Your Model 1860 Spencer Carbine, serial # 12,571 appears to have been issued to a member of Company I, 3rd Michigan Volunteer Cavalry in May of 1864.  Your serial # of #12,571 falls in between serial #12,555 & serial #12,593, and all three serial #s were issued to the same unit, Company I, 3rd Michigan Volunteer Cavalry in May of 1864.

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Thanks,

Two Flints

[Arizona Trooper]

Your carbine is indeed one of the 11,000 that were updated at Springfield Armory after the Civil War. The barrels were sleeved to 50 caliber for the new 56-50 cartridge, Three groove rifling replaced the original 6 groove bore. Stabler's magazine cutoff was added to most of them. The top of the frame was rounded like the later M-1865 to make single loading easier, and they were refinished. The weak markings are due to Springfield's polishing process, which at times removed a lot of metal. There should be a small script ESA in an oval stamp (called a cartouche) on the left side of the buttstock near the saddle ring bar. That indicates final inspection at Springfield and acceptance for reissue. There may also be a couple of weak stampings from the original inspection at the Spencer Armory during the war. You have a very early serial number for a carbine. It would have been made around October-November of 1863.

[Tyree]

Wow! Thank you both for such great informaton;  I really appreciate it!!  I'll have to check to see if I can find the stampings.  Thanks, again!!!