Inhearited 1860 Spencer, need help

[Steve B]

New member here, but first of all, my many thanks for all you experts out there adding your knowledge to this historical weapon. I have my dads old, original Spencer Carbine, serial no. 31057. The cartouch is very visable, with letters (it's script so it's hard to say) but I think they are TJP. It has been modified with the Stabler cut-off, has a 22 inch, 3 lands and grooves barrel so I am pretty sure this was one of the 11,00 or so modified by Springfield.

There are no missing pieces and it is in very good condition with some original coloration visable.

There may also be about 20 rounds of original ammunition. I'm going to pick that up later next month. Not sure of it's heritage but do know it is very old.

Q for Two Flints: Does this serial number fall within ones that you have data for? And if so, would you mind sharing that information with me/us?
Thanks for any help!

[Two Flints]

Hi Steve B.,

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.  If the information is lacking in correctness and or accuracy,  it ain't my fault.  I'm just doing the best that I can do with what I have to work with.  And that is the best that I can do for you.

Having written all the above, your Spencer Carbine, serial # 31057, may have been issued or re-issued to a member of Co. G, 6th Indiana Volunteer Cavalry, on or about July 13, 1864.  Spencer Carbines with serial #s slightly lower and higher than yours were also issued to the same unit.

Hope this helps.

Two Flints

[Herbert]

Your spencer is indeed a Sprinfield armory converted carbine,as you noticed all these carbines have a 3 groove rifled liner solderd in and a stabler cutoff fited ,the cartouch is probely subinspector T.J.S Thomas J.Shepard not TJP have a closer look, these carbines are often found in very good condition as the ones that escaped being sent to France or south america were kept in stores till as late as the turn of the century and saw very litle youse,you have one of the best Spencers for shooting of all ,the boar in these are yously tighter than other 56-50 Spencers so if you are going to shoot it i would slug the boar fist

[Steve B]

Thanks so much, Two Flints, Herbert too for your information. Yes, that is probably TJS on the cartouch. Quite lovely cursive writing.

This Spencer shows a lot of wear on the top of the reciever where the original "Specer model 1860" was stamped. Almost like it was ground off and not just normal wear as the rest of the gun is in great condition.
I thought I read somewhere that the original model stamp was removed during the Springfield rework. Is that true? Only some of the original stamp is clearly visable. All grinding lines bear witness to fore-aft direction only, like done on a mill.
There is also a letter U stamped on the fore ring.
The saddle ring shows a fair amount of wear indicating that it probably spent a few years on horseback, but don't know for sure. I believe that my dad bought this gun at a pawn shop or gun dealer in Waco, TX during WWII. But again, not sure. It could have been in his family too. Unfortunately no one is alive to confirm this. I've personally known the gun since the late 50's.

[Herbert]

The makings on top of the action on the Sprinfield converted Spencers was often nealy polished of wen the carbines were were upgraded to 1865 spects by rounding the opening at the top of the action for single loading then they were recashardend also a spring asist was fited to the extractor and the triger plate was changed to suit the stabler cutoff ,yours must have seen youse as wen they came from Springfield any worne metal part was replaced with a new one ,for instance a worne sadle bar or ring would have been replaced ,woodwork would have been sanded or replaced