M1860 Spencer Carbine serial number help needed

[Bodie Main]

Few years back, purchased a M1860  Spencer Carbine #15203. My off and on research shows that it was delivered around 12/7/1863.  The previous number (15202) was issued to the 7th Pennsylvania Calvary, Company E  The next  closest number  #15327 is shown to be issued to the 2nd Michigan Vol. 

In addition, the initials and last name of J A Clark are carved on the stock.The 7th Penn shows  21 Clarks on the rooster with only one by the name of Joseph Clark. However, no middle initial is indicated.  In addition this Clark is in company H and not company E as the previous issue indicates.The 2nd Michigan has 8 Clarks with 3 first names starting with "J."

Hoping to further narrow down the information but I am running out of ideas.  Would the SRS have more definitive information? Any suggestion would be appreciated.

[Two Flints]

Sorry, same info in SRS book volume 4.

Mrs. Two Flints

[Trailrider]

Sorry I can't be of more help specifically, but here is a little food for thought...  The fact that there is a name carved in the stock may mean the individual was a civilian employee of the Quartermaster Dept. of the Army AFTER the Civil War, out West!  Unless you get especially lucky, it may be difficult, though NOT impossible to track him down. I would contact the National Archives and ask for forms for pension records for the individual, as well as the muster rolls. I'm not sure how much info they can supply nowadays due to budget cuts. But you may be able to hire an archivist or other genealogy researcher. (I'm not sure where all the records are. They dispersed a lot of the stuff some years ago, so the D.C. office may not have them all, and it may take awhile before the disruption from "Sandy" is overcome.

Civilian employees...teamsters, packers, scouts, interpreters, etc....were sometimes issued arms if they were in the field with troops during the Indian Wars campaigns. Depending on what arms were on hand, either current issue or some left over when newer equipment was issued, the civilians might have been issued the arms on a temporary basis. If the arms were not needed, or if they were being phased out, an arrangement whereby the employee "lost" the weapon (and sometimes ammo, or a bucket, etc.), and had the cost deducted from his pay. If the individual was still employed, he might have been told to make his mark, or put his name on the gun to distinguish it from similar ones at the post. Had he stolen it, he wouldn't have autographed a stolen weapon, and if it was still government property, it is doubtful he would have damaged it by putting his name on it.

Good luck with your search.

[Bodie Main]

Thanks for the help. This gives me a new avenue to explore.