New Pard here

[Trail Dawgy]

Howdy pards, I am a new kid on the block (range?)

A little history about myself:  Started shootin' with my dad back in the 50's and fell in love with it ever since.  Just finished a 30 year career in law enforcement a few years ago. Used to have my FFL, but once I retired from LE, I gave it up.  They are kinda tough on us little guys here in California so.... Got started in SASS about 15 years ago, but my best shootin' buddy moved away and now I don't get out much anymore.  Approximately 20 years ago, my college roommate invited me to the big antique gun show in Las Vegas, it was there he got me to buy my first Colt SA, a nice model 1873 made in 1876 and the rest is history....200 antique guns later......and yes, I do blame it all on that son-of-a-gun roommate of mine!  Smiley  

What I am working on now is a little history of a Sharps SPENCER 1860 I have had for a while and would like to try and hunt up any info on it that might be floating around out there, Serial number is 43578.  Hopefully "Two Flints" can help me out with that.....The old guy is pretty rough with pitting and an old nickel job that is coming apart. Most all writing on the rifle is unreadable.  Had some real problems fully identifying the serial #.  Rifle does function though!  Will try and get some pictures posted.  

Trail Dawgy  SASS 18777

"Sharps" edited by Two Flints

[Two Flints]

Trail Dawgy,

Been waiting on your post. 

Can't really determine what unit received your Spencer Carbine serial #43578.  The serial #s as listed in the SRS books are incomplete and with errors . . . Civil War units were issued Spencers in no special sequence of serial #s, perhaps random Spencer Serial #s went to the same unit.  The closest serial #s to your 43578 is - 43505, a Spencer Carbine issued to a member of Company F, 2nd Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry in 1865, and serial # 44016, a Spencer Carbine issued to a member of Company G, 3rd Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, with no date of issue given.

So, your Spencer Carbine "might" have been issued to either unit (guestimation) mentioned above, or to some other unit, who knows   It's just speculation on my part

Thanks for joining SSS.  And please post those photos!!!

Two Flints

[ndnchf]

Welcome Trail Dawgy! We look forward to seeing your Spencer. 

[.56/50 Iron]

Hey there!

I was missing a couple (?) of years here and just got back! Welcome to the group. You will find the folks here are real decent and will help you where they can. About your old Spencer... How's the bore? Shootable? Is your old single action Colt any where near the Custer Single Action Armies? Post again when you can! I'm located in Hayward, Wisconsin.
56/50 Iron

[Trail Dawgy]

Thanks for the info Two Flints, your work is appreciated.  And thanks for the welcome from the rest of you guys!

My Spencer is probably not shootable, or at least I would not put my cheek to close to barrel!  Bore is pretty rough!

My  single action Colt would not have made it to the Little Big Horn.  I had it lettered and it left the factory on 9-27-1876 and went to H & D Folsom (sporting goods) in New York along with 50 others.  Rats!

Trail Dawgy

[Two Flints]

Trail Dawgy,

Give that Spencer a good barrel cleaning and see the result, unless you already have   You may find it is IN shootable condition . . . how about some photos!

Two Flints

[Eggman]

Trail Dawgy,
Your gun will likely shoot one well lubricated round fairly well. If you need a reusable case, I have them for $4 each.
For full time shooting get a reline from Bobby Hoyt and a replacement breach from S&S. Good luck!