New to Spencer Shooting Society

[GrayGrinner]

Hi SSS,

I am Gray Grinner SASS# 105382

I was able to recover my great great grandfather's Spencer serial number 48217 that my grandfather sold years ago for $75.  Unfortunately, when I received it I could see that my grandfather carved his initials in the stock as a child.  The nice collector in my home town sold it back to me for the same $75.  I'd like to shoot it at least once, but have no idea how to get or make ammo.  I reload for cowboy, but rimfire is a whole new world for me.

The weapon:
Thanks to the society educating me with posts, it's an 1860 with 800 yard sights, 22" barrel, no stabler cut off.  My great great grandfather was Thomas Newton Madden, Corporal Company G 178th Ohio Infantry, discharged in Charlotte, NC on June 29, 1865 after Johnston's surrender.  As he was infantry, I'm expecting that he was not issued this carbine and it might have been purchased by him as a surplus weapon after the war.  Is there a way to find out what unit it was originally issued to?  I know this was not usually documented, but seems there is something called an SRS listing that shows some weapons.

If other members would like to see pictures, I'm happy to post them.

Thanks you for helping me.  I've really enjoyed learning from the previous posts.

Chris

[Two Flints]

Terrific.  Why not post the 2nd PM you sent me  .  .  . more info, great to read.  Two Flints

[Abilene]

Hi Chris,  I suggest you edit your 1st post and remove your email. Let people PM you to get that. Last few years the scammers have been busy snatching emails and phone numbers from posts.

I don't know about Spencers but welcome aboard and enjoy your family heirloom!

[El Supremo]

Hello, GrayGrinner:

Thanks, very much.

Any chance, please, other crisp photo's can be sent?

All the best,
El Supremo/Kevin Tinny

[Trailrider]

Rather than attempting to create rimfire ammunition, you might consider buying a centerfire upper breechblock. S&S Firearms of New York still has them, although they are a bit pricy $265 - $300 according to their website. You can either obtain centerfire ammo, or make you own.

However, in deference to the age of your antique, you should at least have it checked out by a gunsmith who knows Spencers or keep it safe, and buy one of the reproduction Spencers. If it were mine, I would do the latter.

[Arizona Trooper]

The nearest serial numbers that appear in the Springfield Research Service books are 48208 and 48232, both in Co. D 1st Vermont Cav in Feb of 1865. Unfortunately there are a bunch of other units with very close numbers, including the 19th NY, 11th Mich, 7th Ind, 14th Kan and 2nd Wisc, so it's hard to guess where yours landed.

[GrayGrinner]

I was asked to also post this info.

Thank you, Two Flints.  That's really interesting information. I looked under the forearm and the number matches.

I live in North Florida now, but I'm originally from Winchester, Virginia.  Most of my family were on the CSA side in the 12th Virginia Cavalry and 2nd Virginia Infantry (Stonewall Brigade).  The Union ancestors were from Ohio (infantry) and West Virginia (artillery).

I've done a lot of research and we don't have any ties to Vermont, so I might be correct in assuming that he purchased it after the war.  There is another potential scenario.  The Madden's moved from Ohio after the war and married into the Pickering family that owned Shirley's Hill on the New Market Battlefield.  The VMI cadets were hidden in the barn before the battle.  I was told they found a rifle in the barn when it was torn down many years later.  I assumed it was the beat up W.M.Mason contract musket I inherited from my grandfather.  Another scenario could be that one of my ancestors picked this Spencer up off the battlefield after the battle. I'll see if Co. D. 1st Vermont Volunteer Cavalry participated in the Battle of New Market.

Thanks for the lead!

Chris

Thank you for all the great feedback and info.  I confirmed that Co. D 1st Vermont Volunteer Cavalry was not at New Market, but they were in 1st and 3rd Winchester where my grandfather lived and other ancestors fought.  Also, battle of Cedar Creek.  I'll try to get some better photos with my iPhone as requested.  Thanks all.