Breechldrs Another Spencer Carbine

[rob63]

Wiley Sword's article about the early rile shipments "Thos Damned Michigan Spencer's" discusses this in a sidebar at page 30 and he suggests this applie in general to ordnance purchases. You can Google and easily find that article

The funny thing is that working on this, even if it is totally fruitless in the end, is really making me want a Spencer rifle even though I already have a carbine. That article isn't going to help the situation!

Here's the link to the article for anyone else that wants to read it:

*** REPOSTING *** "Those Damned Michigan Spencers" by Wiley Sword

*** REPOSTING *** "Those Damned Michigan Spencers" by Wiley Sword

www.cascity.com

 

[Hotdog]

It's fascinating that you're able to pull so much info out of a serial number. If these guns could talk...
I did take a closer look at the stock markings, and I can't really find any documentation to support the letters Q/O and T stamps as Federal. I need to dig more. I'll put Steve Knott's book on order and read up a little more, although from examples on other captured arms, the stamps seem a little small...

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

It's fascinating that you're able to pull so much info out of a serial number. If these guns could talk...
I did take a closer look at the stock markings, and I can't really find any documentation to support the letters Q/O and T stamps as Federal. I need to dig more. I'll put Steve Knott's book on order and read up a little more, although from examples on other captured arms, the stamps seem a little small...

Look just the right size and font to me

 

[rob63]

It's fascinating that you're able to pull so much info out of a serial number. If these guns could talk...
I did take a closer look at the stock markings, and I can't really find any documentation to support the letters Q/O and T stamps as Federal. I need to dig more. I'll put Steve Knott's book on order and read up a little more, although from examples on other captured arms, the stamps seem a little small...

Could you measure them? Simply comparing the size of the "T" to the screw next to it, it looks to me like it is slightly over an eighth of an inch in height. Is that correct, or is it bigger?

BTW, I am something of a skeptic on the whole CSA "Captured and Collected" markings things. I seem to have a penchant for picking losing battles.

 

[Hotdog]

Could you measure them? Simply comparing the size of the "T" to the screw next to it, it looks to me like it is slightly over an eighth of an inch in height. Is that correct, or is it bigger?

BTW, I am something of a skeptic on the whole CSA "Captured and Collected" markings things. I seem to have a penchant for picking losing battles.

It's about that maybe. I have a slightly better picture of the stamp and screw

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

It's about that maybe. I have a slightly better picture of the stamp and screw

View attachment 520727

That is the T mark that is pictures in Knott's book, whatever it means

 

[Tackleberry]

When I bought my Spencer Carbine I searched in vain on the internet for something that would tell me when it was delivered according to the serial number. There is a well-known book about Spencers by Roy Marcot, but the price has always been beyond what I am willing to pay for a book so I have no idea if it has this info in it or not.

The end result of that is that I put together a spread-sheet of serial numbers based upon the delivery records of rifles and carbines recorded by John McAuley in his books. I can't vouch that this is absolutely 100% accurate since I don't know whether Spencer began production of rifles with number one and then continued in order through carbine production. The caveats said, my spread sheet says your carbine should have been delivered to the Federal government in December, 1864.

If someone else has a better reference for these numbers, I would love to see it.

Would you have any info on a 1586 serial number?

 

[rob63]

Would you have any info on a 1586 serial number?

Yes, but not really from the database I compiled. It was pointed out up-thread that the Ordnance delivery records apparently use contract payment dates as the delivery date even if the guns were physically delivered earlier. Thus, my database is off by a few months. That said, if you follow the link for the article by Wiley Sword it says that 1586 would fall into a lot delivered on Jan. 17th, 1863. He lists his sources in the article, but it is not very clear which one that information came from. I presume it is from Marcot's book? In any case, I will add that as I have studied the information presented by Wiley Sword in that article I have developed doubts about some of it, so everything should be viewed as an approximate time frame regardless of the source.

 

[Cornpone and Molasses]

Maybe someone here has Scott Knott's info and you could reach out to him. I have a captured and collected Springfield marked with the Zimmerman stamp. Here is mine. I purchased well before the book came out. I also recently found the receipt. I originally thought I paid $200 for it but I actually only paid $100
https://civilwartalk.com/threads/confederate-captured-collected-springfield-1863.190754/?amp=1

 

[Tackleberry]

Yes, but not really from the database I compiled. It was pointed out up-thread that the Ordnance delivery records apparently use contract payment dates as the delivery date even if the guns were physically delivered earlier. Thus, my database is off by a few months. That said, if you follow the link for the article by Wiley Sword it says that 1586 would fall into a lot delivered on Jan. 17th, 1863. He lists his sources in the article, but it is not very clear which one that information came from. I presume it is from Marcot's book? In any case, I will add that as I have studied the information presented by Wiley Sword in that article I have developed doubts about some of it, so everything should be viewed as an approximate time frame regardless of the source.

I could not find any posting from Wiley Sword scrolling back to earlier posts. Is there a way to post the link in my thread with you?

 

[rob63]

I could not find any posting from Wiley Sword scrolling back to earlier posts. Is there a way to post the link in my thread with you?

*** REPOSTING *** "Those Damned Michigan Spencers" by Wiley Sword

*** REPOSTING *** "Those Damned Michigan Spencers" by Wiley Sword

www.cascity.com

 

[Civilwarhistorian2003]

Actually several years ago a guy at the Spencer Shooting Society / Spencer Forum / CasCity.com claims mine was issued in September 1964. With Serial #s close to mine issued to New York Cavalry regiments. With the closet serial # issued to the Co F 19th NY Volunteer Cavalry.

As someone who has ancestors who served in the 19th Ny/1st ny dragoons they definitely issued Spencers to them
They were originally an infantry regiment that was raised in my area that in 1863 was turned into a cavalry regiment. Their Motto was "always ready" they were a hard fighting regiment and well disciplined

 

[bayonet]

As someone who has ancestors who served in the 19th Ny/1st ny dragoons they definitely issued Spencers to them
They were originally an infantry regiment that was raised in my area that in 1863 was turned into a cavalry regiment. Their Motto was "always ready" they were a hard fighting regiment and well disciplined

Well I sold it to a Dealer 2 months ago and he has it on his site up for auction so bid on it if you want it. Auction September 5th at ZevAntiques item #147