Spencer & Other Firearms Serial # Search - Info Added In Your Original Post

[Two Flints]

Steve,

GOT IT AND I ALREADY RESPONDED.

T.F.

[Halfway Creek Charlie]

Two Flints,
Thanks. Way more than I knew before.
I figured that if a Remington was issued, that it had all the sub- inspector marks  prior to issue and if just purchased, they have the cartouche only. Is this a good line of thought? I have tried to find this info out in print and haven't ran across it yet.

[hendrick]

Two Flints, sent you an EMule. Hendrick

[JacobMGeise]

I haven't got it yet (it'll arrive next Tuesday) but I'm getting a Spencer rifle with S/N 6928. Any information you may have is appreciated. Thanks.

Jacob

[Two Flints]

Hello JacobMGeise,

The serial #s before and after your Spencer rifle (including yours) were issued to CO B, 8th Indiana Volunteer Cavalry.

Two Flints

[hendrick]

Two Flints. Sent you a EMule. I was saddled from time I guess. It was SSS # 9 and not 19. Sorry for the confusion. Thanks for the replies from you and the help. If you are ever in this area give me a holler and I'll try to meet up with you. I don't get to get out too much right now but hopefull times are achangin.

[Bead Swinger]

Arizona Trooper -
Hmmm... I thought the 2000 rifles at the end of the 25,000 SN range (the last of the 1860R's made) were M1860R, not M1865R. My own piece (23,954) is in that range, and I thought (from my long-ago read of Marcot) was part of the Massachusetts State order that was assumed by the federal government. It is very much a M1860, and based on my recollection that larger SN's were also 1860's, these were as well. My guess from Marcot (which could well be wrong), was that she was manufactured in Nov-Dec 1863, shipped to the feds, and eventually issued in 1864.

Two Flints - would you mind posting what history you have on her? (SN #23,954 M1860R).

On the other hand, there were numbers of carbines (and rifles?) in the <25,000 range that were originally issued as 1860C/R, and later reworked into 1865R models; My memory is really fuzzy here.  Thoughts?

[Four Eyes Henry]

Thanks for the information on my Spencer's, Two Flints and others ofcourse.

But I still am wondering about the rifle, it says M1865 on the barrel and it has a spring assisted blade extractor, so that should
make it a 1865 rifle right?
Anyhow, I shot it with the CF action from the carbine and it did hit the target at 50 mtr.
Considering the money I payed for it I am very,very lucky.

Groeten van

Four Eyes Henry

[Two Flints]

Hi Bead Swinger,

You asked - Two Flints - would you mind posting what history you have on her? (SN #23,954 M1860R).

Your rifle's serial # 23,954 falls in between -

Serial #23,728 1860 rifle issued to Co. G 105th PA Vol Inf in 1865

and

Serial #23,960 1860 carbine issued to Co. A 18th Kansas Vol Cav in 1867

Two Flints

[Arizona Trooper]

Most of the 23-24K serial number rifles were delivered to Mass. on a state contract, that's why they don't show up in the federal records. 23862 was in the 37th Mass Infantry and is reported in Marcot's "Spencer Repeating Firearms". Obviously, a couple did go to Uncle Sam too.

[JacobMGeise]

Two Flints,

I received my Spencer rifle a day earlier than I thought, and it's actually S/N 6926, instead of 6928. I'm assuming it's still in the same range: "The serial #s before and after your Spencer rifle (including yours) were issued to CO B, 8th Indiana Volunteer Cavalry." I've got a few other questions about the new rifle, but I think I'll just start another topic, to make things easier. Thanks, again for the info.

Jacob

[Two Flints]

Jacob,

You're right same unit as before, CO B, 8th Indiana Volunteer Cavalry!  Hurry up and post your questions on a new thread!   Congratulations!

Two Flints

[JacobMGeise]

I just spent about 20 minutes composing the questions on a new topic and tried to attach a photo, but when I hit the post button, it said I had an error (file size too big) and to try again. Of course when I went back, all of the info I had typed had disappeared. Back to the start, I guess. I normally keep the text copied, just in case, but I forgot this time. D'oh!

[Two Flints]

Jacob,

Sent you an Email.  Please check it out.

T.F.

[JacobMGeise]

Two Flints,

I just looked at your list on the first page and found another rifle that I have in my closet. Do you have any information on a Remington-Lee Model 1885 with S/N 52794 (bolt-action, clip-fed .45-70)?

I used to be able to look up the serial numbers on the Springfield research service website, but it looks like it's a paying proposition, now. It doesn't look too bad, though ($25 per year), and I might give it a shot. Have you had any experience with them?

Thanks,

Jacob

[Two Flints]

Jacob,

Can't offer you very much on your Remington-Lee other than it was probably issued to the United States Navy, these were serial #s 50,001-55,000, with your serial # 52,794 falling within the indicated range.

Two Flints

[ron123]

Hi Two Flints,
Do you have data for Smith Carbine with Serial Number 3989?
I take it this is an early serial number as ~30,000 were issued to the military.
This model has a harness swivel fastened to the stock and one fastened to the fore-end wood; although part of the forward swivel is broken off.  the rest of the gun is in nice shape although I am no expert on these matters.
markings:
Manufactured by Mass. Arms Co. Chicopee Falls
Poultney Trimble Baltimore U.S.A   (distributor?)
Thanks,
Ron

[Two Flints]

Ron123,

Serial #3988 was issued to Boalt's Co. 11th Ohio Vol. Cav.  (issue date 08-21-1863)

Serial #3989 is your Smith Serial #

Serial #3995 was issued to Co. D, 2nd W.VA Vol. Cav. (issue date 11-??-1863)

Two Flints

[ron123]

Hi Two Flints,
Thanks for the fast reply.  Now I am wondering if I'm reading the number wrong since it is not listed?
Studied for a while.
Was using bi-focals plus magnifying glass.  Better have my son take a look to see if my old eyes are playing tricks.
Two relatives back in that era were in military in PA and NY.
Ron

[Two Flints]

Ron123,

Can't give you an exact match, only an approximate unit issue, unless the same serial # appears in my book.  I'm just showing you that your serial # falls in between the other two with the Spencer issue to the Boalt's Co, as your best guess scenario.

Two Flints