Merry Christmas To Me...A New Spencer Carbine!!!! Can you help me identify it?

[lhawk1970]

As a long time Spencer admirer and civil war buff, I could not believe I woke up this Christmas morning and found that Santa had left a Spencer Carbine for me under the tree!  Can anyone help me identify it?  The serial number is #14058 with a "Z" stamped on the stock underneath near the trigger gaurd!  Any assistance you can provide me in beginning my research would be greatly appreciated!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to Everyone!

Lhawk1970

[Two Flints]

LHawk1970,

Wow, I was led to believe that Santa was an anti-gun person   I guess I was told wrong.  I may be able to help you with your search.  You need to join SSS; just register in the first thread, or send me an Email at fsgrand2@fairpoint.net that you are joining.

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.  And that is the best that I can do for you.

Having written all the above, my records show that your Spencer Carbine could have been issued to a member of Co G, 8th New York Volunteer Cavalry or Co. E, 7th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry on or about February, 1865.  Your Spencer serial # 14058 falls pretty much in between serial numbers assigned/associated with the above mentioned units, but closer to the New York unit. 

Any chance you could post photos of the Z stamp?

Two Flints

I can do all this typing and research because Santa passed over my home last night and I received no presents from him

[lhawk1970]

Thank you so much for heading me in the right direction!  Here's a pic of the "Z" stamp on lower part of the buttstock!  Any ideas?