1860 Spencer Serial # Information Request

[ducklakedave]

two flints:  I have an 1860 Spencer carbine serial #48455.  I know this was made late in the war.  It is a gun that was apparently returned to the Springfield Armory and refitted with a 20" barrel in 56/50 caliber and fitted with a Stabler cutoff.  It bares a faint cartouche which according to the Spencer book signifies it went back to the Armory.  Can you give me any idea from your source books what the original Unit of issue might of been?  Thanks.  ducklakedave

[Two Flints]

Hi Ducklakedave,

If you read any further - you must  Email me at fsgrand2@fairpoint.net and join SSS

Some time ago I acquired the four volume set of the Springfield Research Service (SRS) Serial Numbers of U.S. Martial Arms.  I purchased the set so I could help SSS members identify which unit their original Spencer Carbine or rifle was issued or assigned to during, and perhaps, after the Civil War. 

Unfortunately, not all the Spencer serial numbers are listed in the four volume set I own.  And, there are gaps between indicated serial numbers.  This paragraph is a DISCLAIMER of sorts.  As a courtesy to SSS members, I am happy to reveal to you the information I may have regarding the serial number of your Spencer carbine or rifle.  But, please remember, I am just regurgitating what I read in my SRS volumes with some "unscientific conjecture" on my part .  What I do is the following:  I take your Spencer serial number and try to place it in between the two closest serial numbers to yours listed in my SRS volume.  In most cases, if the serial numbers for the Spencer before and after your own serial number were issued to the same unit, I assume your Spencer went to the same unit.  Or, if your Spencer serial number is very, very close to another Spencer serial number, I assume your Spencer went to the same unit. I call this the Two Flints guesstimation    I'm guessing and estimating at the same time as to what I believe to be correct information based upon the information I find in my four volume set of SRS    And that is the best that I can do for you

Now, having written all the above, according to my sources, your 1860 Spencer Carbine, serial # 48455, may have been issued to a member of Co. D, 1st Vermont Volunteer Cavalry sometime in February of 1865.  I have close match to your serial #, which in my book is 48,452 to the unit I mention above..

Two Flints