Need help with Spencer Serial Numbers

[caddy28]

Just getting into Spencer Rifles, and picked one up at a civil war show.  It's a 1860 Spencer Serial Number 350xx. Can anybody help with info on the rifle.  There are no cartouche on the gun.  Thanks in adavance.  My guess is that this gun served time out west.   

[Tuolumne Lawman]

are you sure it is an 1860?  Or is it an 1865.  It should have model year and either Spencer Repeating Firearms or Burnside on top of the receiver.  If that is buffed off, measure the barrel.  An 1860 in 56-56 is usually 22 inches.  The Burnside or Spencer retro fit to 56-50 will generally be 20 inches.  It makes a big difference as far as serial number goes.

[caddy28]

Thanks for getting back so soon.  The marking say spencer repeating rifle company, boston mass   march x

overall lenth 39" long.   which I believe is a 1860   

Barrell lenth 20 3/8 long. 

I meant to say no military markings.  Sorry.   

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Unfortunately, with that barrel length, it could be a 56-50 re-barrel, which was done after the Civil War.  The bore should slug about ,515 to .520 if it is a 56-50.  Most 56-56s use a .535 to .54 bullet, and were .520 ON THE LANDS, not in the grooves.  Sounds like you need to do a chamber casting and slug the bore to see which caliber it really is. There is also a possibility that the muzzle crown was shot, and it was cut back almost 2 inches and the sight reset, though  I am betting it is a 56-50 re-barrel.

[Two Flints]

Hi Caddy28,

Photos of your Spencer Carbine would be nice to see. 

And now for my very "wordy" disclaimer:

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 # 35026 may have been issued or re-issued to a member of Company I, 3rd Michigan Cavalry, sometime in June of 1865.

Hope this helps and look forward to you joining SSS

Two Flints

[caddy28]

I would like to thank both of you for the info.  Would like to post picture but not sure how to do it.   At the show where the gun was bought, the ammo guy measured and said it was .520 or 52 caliber..  Real excited with any info on this gun..  Thanks

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Sweet weapon!  Congrats!  If it was .520 in the grooves, as I said it is a 56-50 rebarrel.  That does NOT affect value, as 56-50 is easier to reload.  If it is .520 on the lands, it maybe 56-56.if a 56-56 chambers, it is probably 56-56, if it doesn't it is 56-50.