Help with 1860 Spencer serial numbers...

[Pete-o MSU]

Hello this is my first post, I stumbled on this website trying to find info on what I believe is an 1860 Spencer. Great website by the way. am a collector of WWII era medal groups specifically so this out of my comfort zone. I have had this gun for years. My grandfather actually found it stashed in the attic of his house in Michigan when he first purchased it. I went to a civil war antique arms shows yesterday and saw some people were selling guns that could be traced to some degree. So I wanted to find out if mine could be also...the serial number is 10137. It's not by any means a mint rifle but my family has had it for years and I just want more information on it. Thank you for any help, it is truly appreciated!


                                    (Photo Posted by Two Flints)

Serial # of my Spencer Carbine

                                      (Photo Posted by Two Flints)

Pete

[Two Flints]

Hi Pete,

Can you post a clear and sharp photo of the top of the entire receiver area and another photo of the serial #?  If you remove the front forend the serial # should also be imprinted on the barrel, to check to make sure the serial #s are the same.

All the serial #s close to your 10137 are listed as Spencer Rifles . . . not sure why you have a carbine with the serial # you gave?  Could it be 16137?

Two Flints

[Blair]

Two Flints,

Look at the second photo...
There is no carbine sling bar and ring in that image.
I can't began to guess why, based on the information available.
More, and better photos are very much needed.
I hope this helps.
My best,
Blair

[Pete-o MSU]

Will get more pics up in a second. The sling bar is missing, and so is the site.

[Trailrider]

This may have been a rifle converted to carbine length, either after the Civil War or by the owner following the War.  So far as tracing the piece is concerned, I think I would start by determining who owned the house "way back when". County tax records might be a place to start. Ownership going back to 1861 would be a starting point. The owner or a son might have served in one of the Michigan brigades...maybe, even with Custer! I would trace the ownership of the house for at least 20 years after the War.  If you can find the name of the owners of the house, you may be able to get records of service and pension records from the National Archives Navy & Old Army muster records. Also, the Michigan historical society or the county society may have more data. The fact that the Spencer was found in the attic, rather than at a gun show, makes it more likely that the owner of the house was associated with the gun. It may take awhile, but can be like putting together a puzzle or solving a mystery (which it is). Good luck.

[Blair]

Trailrider,

All of what you suggest maybe very true.

However, better photo images will help. Also, some measurement, such as barrel length (muzzle to the open end of the breech/receiver section), forearm length and barrel band placement along that measurement.
Perhaps the sling bar and ring have just been removed? We wont know and can't guess until we get this type of info.
"WE" simply cannot second guess this, not just yet.
My best,
Blair

[Pete-o MSU]

Ok took it apart it's 16137 not 10137. Dang I was hoping from earlier posts I was looking at that It might be a 10th MI vol cav gun. Oh well. Only 11000 and less were civil war issued right?

[Pete-o MSU]

This may have been a rifle converted to carbine length, either after the Civil War or by the owner following the War.  So far as tracing the piece is concerned, I think I would start by determining who owned the house "way back when". County tax records might be a place to start. Ownership going back to 1861 would be a starting point. The owner or a son might have served in one of the Michigan brigades...maybe, even with Custer! I would trace the ownership of the house for at least 20 years after the War.  If you can find the name of the owners of the house, you may be able to get records of service and pension records from the National Archives Navy & Old Army muster records. Also, the Michigan historical society or the county society may have more data. The fact that the Spencer was found in the attic, rather than at a gun show, makes it more likely that the owner of the house was associated with the gun. It may take awhile, but can be like putting together a puzzle or solving a mystery (which it is). Good luck.

My grandfather lived in a small town so this might be doable.  Thanks for the advice.

Pete

[Two Flints]

Hi Pete,

So it's serial #16137

My SRS books show a Spencer Carbine serial #16167 issued to Company K, 11th Michigan Volunteer Cavalry on November 14, 1864. And a Spencer Carbine serial #16051 also issued to the SAME unit, on August 17, 1864 . . . please read my Spencer serial # Disclaimer at this link: http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,49949.0.html

Hope this helps!

After all this help, I'm sure that you will want to join my Spencer Shooting Society . . . just let me know.

Two Flints

[Pete-o MSU]

Oh wow thanks!!!!!  I really appreciate it! How do I join the society?

Pete

[Two Flints]

Pete,

You just did

Two Flints

[Ibgreen]

Oh wow thanks!!!!!  I really appreciate it! How do I join the society?

Pete

Keep in mind you get "bonus points" for shooting with a Spencer.  After all, it is the Spencer SHOOTING society, not the Spencer OWNING society. 

[treebeard]

It would still be interesting to see a good picture of the left side of the carbine.