question about serial number of a newly acquired Spencer carbine

[clyde]

hello all,
it is been a long time since I posted here for the last time, but finally the bug bites again and I have offered myself 2 new Spencers?
There is one infantry rifle, New Model, with the Spencer cut-off. This one is a civilian, having been made in 1868 (based on the information found in "Spencer repeating firearms" by Roy Marcot).

The second has been brought back from the gunsmith today. It is a 1865 carbine, made by Spencer (not Burnside). It is an early one, # 2730. So it has no Stabler cut-off, and the extractor has no spring.

Could one of you have some references as to which unit this carbine might have been distributed ?
Thanks a lot

Clyde

[clyde]

... and Merry Christmas to all !!!
from the old continent.
Clyde

[Two Flints]

Hi Clyde,

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 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 on 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.

Having written all the above, my records show a Spencer RIFLE serial # 2731 (just one digit from your Spencer Carbine serial #2730) as being issued to member of Company H, 28th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry on or about January 10, 1865.  Perhaps you have a rifle that was modified to a carbine?

Two Flints

[clyde]

Well, thanks a lot for the information, Two Flints.
Actually I'm sure my carbine is a genuine one. It is completely unmessed with, and all carbine features are present : sling ring and bar, short forearm (not a rifle forearm that has been cut), 20" barrel that does not appear to have been shortened, cartouches on the stock that match with all indications in Roy Marcot book about 1865 Spencer carbines .
I have checked in Marcot's book, and it states that serial numbers of 1865 rifles and carbines were mixed, with the rifles serial numbers in the lower range. So maybe the explanation is that the gun produced immediately after my carbine was a rifle.
Anyway, that is funny.

I plan to use this carbine in 2 weeks on the range. I am just waiting for an extractor and a extractor screw that I have ordered from S&S firearms. I cannot use the one of my rifle to put on the carbine, because the rifle has the last type of extractor found on the new models.

Incidentally I noted that my carbine, being an "early" 1865 carbine, has no spring to assist the extractor, and no Stabler cut-off. These 2 devices, both fathered by Mr Stabler, were added to the later part of the production of this model.

Well, Santa was generous for me this year !
Because he added a nice original Sharps business rifle in 45-70 to the Spencer !!!

Bye all, I wish you a Happy New Year.