Help with 1860 Spencer rifle serial #

[lord150]

I have a Spencer rifle with serial #57568 and was wondering if anyone could tell me anything about it's history

[Two Flints]

Hi Lord150,

First of all,   you really have to read and understand my standard disclaimer that I print out for everyone, who requests Spencer serial # information.  So, here it is:

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 maybe 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, to make identification even more difficult, there are huge and multiple  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 I find listed in my SRS volume(s).  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  MAY  have been assigned to the same unit.  Or, if your Spencer serial number is very, very close to another Spencer serial number in my SRS volume(s),  I assume your Spencer MAY have been issued to the same unit.

I call this "unscientific conjecture" 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.   I certainly and absolutely make no claim to the accuracy of my "unscientific conjecture" and you should use the information I offer only if you want to, and not to accept it as "Gospel". 

Other SSS members and even guests of SSS may post a comment suggesting that my serial # information is completely inaccurate,  but haven't I already done that with my disclaimer?   

In any case, the serial # information I provide is only a starting point, at best, and you should perhaps research the history of your Spencer Carbine with whatever resources you can find on the Internet or else where.

Now, regarding your Spencer Carbine or rifle, serial #57568, according to my SRS Volume, I find that your Spencer Carbine may have been issued or re-issued to a member of Company G, 18th New York Volunteer Cavalry on or about May 10, 1865.

Hope you read my disclaimer, above.  Hope this helps.

Two Flints