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[rugman]

Hi ya'll.  I'm rugman from the bayou's of Lousiana.  I stumbled across your sight awhile ago and since I've been in the market for an authentic Spencer I thought of no better place to join.  I think I've found a beautiful weapon and, of course, now I want to know all about it.  It bears serial #44999 and has a reddish looking stock with an inlaid eagle on one side and a wax impression on the other.  I'm thinking it must be a presentation piece as I can't imagine a cavalryman making those marks, of course, I could be wrong.  Two Fints, I have read your disclaimer and fully understand it.  Look at the pics I'm posting and if anyone has any ideas about this piece of history I would really appreciate hearing from you:

[Two Flints]

Hi Rugman,

Thanks for joining SSS.  Would like to see photos of the top of the receiver, clear and sharp, please.  Since you've read my disclaimer already, I won't have to re-type it for you

Your Spencer Carbine serial # is 44999.  The closest serial # I have to yours is # 44998, a Spencer Carbine issued to a member of Company G, 3rd Iowa Volunteer Cavalry in 1865.

Hope this helps.

Two Flints

[rugman]

Thanks Two Flints.  Tried to get a photo of the receiver but my camera couldn't focus on it.  However, it reads "SPENCER REPEATING RIFLE CO. BOSTON, MASS. PAT D MARCH 1860"
is it safe to assume since your records show the serial no. prior that the carbine I have was issued to the next man in line?

And what about the inlaid eagle? Ever seen one before? What is an explanation for it being on the buttstock?

[nactorman]

 No explanation for the eagle, but if you want a good online resource for info on the 3rd Iowa Cav you should see Mr. Gunter's website below:

http://www.iowa3rdcavalry.com/

The 3rd Iowa Cav took part in Wilson's Alabama-Georgia Raid (March-May 1865). The 948 troopers that began the campaign were armed with Spencers.

Beautiful piece, BTW.

Charles
"Nactorman"

[Two Flints]

Rugman,

You indicated that you read and understood my disclaimer.  Spencer serial # information is "incomplete at best".  A good number of the serial #s of the Spencer Carbines before and after yours were issued to the 3rd Iowa Cavalry. That's the best I can tell you.

I think I have seen the Eagle marking somewhere before.  Did you buy your Spencer on an online site? 

Good shooting with it.

Two Flints

[rugman]

I understand that nothing can be determined for sure, just trying to make some assumptions that I shouldn't.  Thanks.

[JimBob]

And what about the inlaid eagle? Ever seen one before? What is an explanation for it being on the buttstock?

The eagle is a U.S. pattern 1832 cap eagle.They were in use for a long period of time by Regular Army as well as militia and volunteer units.A good bet is that it is contempory to the rifle usage,placed there by a soldier with too much time on his hands.

[rugman]

Thanks JimBob that does ring a bell.  I'll do a little more research on that point and see what I can find out.