1860 Spencer

[van2smith]

Hi Two Flints, I just picked up an 1860 Spencer serial number 15847, do you have any info. on it?  You can email me at van2smith@aol.com if you wish.    Thanks in advance,  Van...

[Two Flints]

Hi Van2Smith,

First of all, thanks for joining SSS

It would be great if you would post photos of your Spencer, or send them to me via Email, and I will post them for you. Regarding the history of your Spencer, see below: 

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, I checked my SRS books, and your Spencer Carbine, serial #15847, came up as an exact match, and was issued to a member of Company K, 11th Michigan Volunteer Cavalry on or about November 14th 1864.

Hope this helps.

Two Flints

[van2smith]

Thanks for the info., does it list the person it was issued to?  Van.....

[Two Flints]

Hi Van2smith,

I wish the SRS books were more detailed then they are .  No names are listed with the Spencer they received.  You might want to do a Google search on the 11th Michigan Volunteer Cavalry and see what information that might bring you.

Two Flints

[gunner1]

Two Flints, I was just reading your posts to Van2Smith back in May regarding his 1860 Spencer.  I've just registered with this website and I'm not sure that I'm doing this right, but here goes anyway.  I also am the proud owner of both a Spencer rifle and a carbine.  The rifle is one of the very early ones (serial # 1891) and the carbine bears serial nuber 52927.  Would you mind checking your books on those two numbers and see if any info miight be available.  Thanks much
gunner1

[Two Flints]

Gunner sent you a Personal Message.  Did you get it?

Two Flints