Do-It-Yourself Spencer Detective Work

[DJ]

Some of you read my earlier question about recovering a defaced serial number on my Spencer Navy rifle.  Unfortunately, no one seemed to have a concrete solution, so I decided to try a little do-it-yourself detective work.

I found online (thanks, Internet) a product (clearly marketed towards investigators) called "Restor-A-Gel" that proclaimed it would allow recovery of a defaced serial number "in the field."  The "gel" part seemed important, because it also claimed (accurately) to do away with the need to build little clay dams around the site of the defaced number to contain the acid.  The product came with no instructions, nor could I find any, but after some trial and error, I think I had some success.

First, a photo of the subject of the investigation.

[DJ]

And here's a right side profile.  As I mentioned before, I bought this as a shooter, as it has some minor wood problems.  I picked up the bayonet separately, and the sharp-eyed reader will see that it has some problems as well--the catch is missing and the catch spring is broken off.  If a homely rifle is a "shooter," does that make a homely bayonet a "stabber?"

[DJ]

Next, photos of the receiver with just a little bit of the last numeral in the serial number showing and the breech end of the barrel showing the most-obliterated model number because of the spacing, but that's about it.

[DJ]

And here's the subject of my recovery efforts--the serial number on the underside of the barrel.  Initially it looked pretty unlikely.  After polishing with some 400 grit to remove oxides it looked hopeless.  I cleaned with alcohol and then slathered on a little Restor-a-Gel.

[Arizona Trooper]

It's a Model 1867, pretty sure.The barrel marking is definitely not N.M., and M-1865s don't have the Lane Extractor. That said, I once had an M-1867 with an M-1865 marked barrel, but a '67 serial number and the Lane extractor. Never know what you'll find with Spencers! 

[DJ]

Arizona Trooper--I eventually reached that same conclusion, probably not as quickly as you, but I really became interested in the process and a definitive number, so here's more.

After about five or six minutes I wiped the gel off and voila!  I didn't know what to expect, but thought I would see some numerals.  Disappointment.  But a little hope.  By varying the lighting, I could see five ovals where the numerals had been stamped.

I washed everything with alcohol and reapplied gel, this time waiting about 10 minutes.  When wiped clean, the numerals were a little clearer.  I rinsed with water, and that seemed to bring them out a little better, too.

[DJ]

Frustratingly, I was unable to make out the first digit of the serial number after two attempts.  So, on the theory that more is better, I made a third application of gel and let it sit for about 20 minutes, at which point it started to dry out.

Meanwhile, I examined the forend--in my experience, you can sometimes tell if a Spencer forend is original to a rifle (or at least has been in place a very long time) by looking for a serial number impression in the wood or the grime sandwiched between the barrel and wood.  I found some partially readable digits on this forend, but it was difficult to see clearly, plus they were mirror images.  I took some photos, Photoshopped them to increase contrast, flipped them over, and actually had pretty good results.

[DJ]

After working over the forend, I cleaned off the third gel application, but without significant improvement.  I decided to give it one more shot and added a fourth application of gel, which I left in place for about 10 minutes.  I then began rubbing the serial number area with a water-dampened cotton swab.  As I cleaned the gel off, the numbers took on a reddish copper color and, while wet, were about as readable as ever.  I made out a 96194, which matches the impressions in the forend grime.

Now to the book (or just ask Tony/Arizona Trooper).  Based on the Lane extractor, and the serial number, this is a model 1867.  Marcot says that approximately 1,000 M1867 rifles were made, of which an "unknown but small quantity were made in the Navy style with . . . bayonet lug . . .."   He gives the serial number range for rifles as 90,000-94,000, while the M1867 carbine range is 90,000-103,000.  So, at least the "what" part of the mystery is solved--perhaps in his next edition Mr. Marcot will expand the reported range of rifle serial numbers.

As Tony alluded, however, the mystery of the exact model markings remains--is it "M1867" or does it have the "7" stamped over a "5"?  That will have to remain an unknown for awhile. 

--DJ