Assistance WithA Spenser

[kevikens]

I recently acquired a Spenser carbine. On the top of the breach is written, SPENCER REPEATING Rifle, PAT'D MARCH 6 1860, MANUF'D AT PROV. R.I. BY BURNSIDE RIFLE CO. The serial number is 25780. In side the mechanism are several stamped letters which I presume are some kind of inspector's marks. Any help on its manufacturing date and possible regimental use would be appreciated.

 

[Patrick H]

There are several folks here who can give you expert advice and information about your Spencer carbine, but I think it would help to show photos of the marks in question.

 

[kevikens]

Sorry, but I have no idea how to do that. I did discover when cleaning the carbine the date, 1865, is stamped on it in somewhat faint figures. Unlike the 1865 Spencer pictured on the NRA site which has MODEL 1865 this one has only the date.

 

[ranger326]

Try this link for the Spencer Shooting Society: http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/board,35.0.html

Lot's of expertise including SN lookups.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

The Burnside made Spencer Carbine was a Model 1865 Spencer. The first delivery was made on April 15, 1865, with the final delivery being made on October 31, 1865. There were a total of 30,502 Burnside Spencers delivered to the Government. The last 14,494 delivered all had the Stabler magazine cut-off. As for researching serial numbers, any record that is dated prior to April 15, 1865 is most definitely not a Burnside Spencer Carbine.
J.

 

[kevikens]

Thanks. Something odd is that the barrel measures 18 and 1/4 inches, if I am measuring it correctly, from where the barrel joins the breech yet does not seem to be a cut down barrel. I have been reading that the 1865 had a 20 inch barrel though one book has it at 19 inches.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

The barrel length is measured from the face of the breech block to the muzzle.
J.

 

[Private Watkins]

A photo or two would certainly be helpful...

 

[kevikens]

The barrel length is measured from the face of the breech block to the muzzle.
J.

That adds another inch or so. Thanks