New Spencer Repeating Carbine Owner---can y'all help me with the history?

[rabs]

Hey all,

Just got my Spencer Carbine, model 1860, Serial Number 14663.   Can anyone help me shed some light on its provenance?  Unfortunately it's been reblued, but it seems to be in fantastic condition.

[Two Flints]

Hi Rabs/Jonathan,

Just started Emailing you when I saw your post!  Thanks for joining 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 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, the best information I can give you is that your Spencer Carbine serial # 14663 may have been issued or re-issued to a member of Co E., 7th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry on or about February, 1865.  My closest serial # match to your carbine is 14655 and was issued to the above named unit. 

Hope this helps, and thanks,

Two Flints

[rabs]

Thanks! That was fast! 

[Willie Dixon]

any pics??? gotta love the originals!

[Trailrider]

Gentlemen:

I don't wish to be a wet blanket on the subject of researching military usage of arms, but there are certain facts to be considered.  Unfortunately, in the 19th Century, when shipped from the factory or issued to units, very little attention was paid to keeping all the arms of a serial number range in order, or even in the same box!  As a result, even if a carbine that is not listed as having been issued to a given unit, is bracketed by others that were issued to that unit, there is no guarrantee that the arm in question went to the same unit.  It could have as easily been packed and shipped to a completely different outfit.  Frankly, I find that terribly inconsiderate of the ordnance people for us collectors a century-and-a-half later, but that appears to be the situation we face when trying to re-create the history of a particular arm.

Perhaps later information will provide more concrete evidence...  Best of luck!

[Two Flints]

Hi Trailrider,

Thanks for your comments   

What you wrote above, in the previous post, I thought I conveyed as completely as possible in my disclaimer at least I thought I did   I now make it a rule to add my disclaimer to every request for Spencer serial # information. I certainly don't claim to have the final word on Spencer serial # assignments. 

I just repeat what I read in my SRS books and apply that Two Flints Guesstimation, as mentioned in my disclaimer, and SSS members can accept or not accept the serial # information I offer them.

Two Flints

[rabs]

As a student of history, I tend to agree with the Trailrider--but I think that Two Flints' method makes sense.  As this Spencer is relatively low in the series, one would think it went into service sometime in 1864.  Nevertheless, it also makes sense that it wound up in the hands of one of Wilson's Raiders and saw action at least in Selma and then vacationed in Macon.   Being of Pennsylvanian heritage, I'd like to think it was attached to the 7th cav as Two Flints suggests may be the case, and having lived in Macon GA, I'd really like to think it was there at the end of the war!

In any case, I am over the moon with my new addition to the family and proud to be in the SSS!

Here are some pics!

[Willie Dixon]

wow, that's a beauty.  Any chance that there's a great site to look up all the different Spencer types and see pictures coincide with them?  I've been having a hard time deciphering between them.