Help With Weapon Serial Numbers

Lincoln56

Sergeant
Joined
Jul 24, 2016
Location
Texas
Have had these two weapons since the 1960's. Been curious if there is any additional information available on them.
Would someone with access to records be able to identify when these were manufactured / issued?
Not intending to take advantage of people's good nature on this site with this request so if not appropriate and I need to be directed somewhere for this information please let me know where I would do this.

The Model 1865 Spencer most likely post war - curious what the modifications would be from the 1860 originals. Is there a recommended resource that would have this information?

Thanks in advance for any information.

Model 1860 Colt Army was bought at a small relic shop in Sharpsburg, Maryland in 1968. The serial number is 134438; all parts have this number.
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Model 1865 Spencer Carbine was bought from a catalog store in Florida in 1969. The serial number is 8738.
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Very nice pieces; unfortunately all I can do is admire them. My Colt M.1860 Army has serial #22594 which I understand indicates manufacture in 1861 but past that I know nothing.
 
Nice looking old war horses. The Colt is not listed in the SRS and was made in 1863. On the Spencer keep in mind that there also a model 1860 with the same number. paging @JOHN42768
 
Nice looking old war horses. The Colt is not listed in the SRS and was made in 1863. On the Spencer keep in mind that there also a model 1860 with the same number. paging @JOHN42768
Thanks for the info @ucvrelics!

As I know virtually nothing about serial numbers I find it interesting that there's a model 1860 with the same serial number.
Is this a common occurrence and is this due to restarting the serial numbers on a newer model of the same weapon?
 
Thanks for the info @ucvrelics!

As I know virtually nothing about serial numbers I find it interesting that there's a model 1860 with the same serial number.
Is this a common occurrence and is this due to restarting the serial numbers on a newer model of the same weapon?
It is common back then. When they started the production on the same carbine different model the started over. Don't even get me started on the 5 different model Burnside's.
 
Have had these two weapons since the 1960's. Been curious if there is any additional information available on them.

The Model 1865 Spencer most likely post war - curious what the modifications would be from the 1860 originals. Is there a recommended resource that would have this information?

Model 1865 Spencer Carbine was bought from a catalog store in Florida in 1969. The serial number is 8738.
For what it's worth, THE HORSE SOLDIER in Gettysburg had a Spencer not far off from yours in serial number
https://www.horsesoldier.com/products/firearms/carbines/22630

Roy Marcot wrote a reference book, but they're out of print and expensive. You might try an inter-library loan.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0970760825/?tag=civilwartalkc-20

For what it's worth, I believe Bannerman's sold some surplus Spencers to the French for use in the Franco-Prussian War.
 
For what it's worth, THE HORSE SOLDIER in Gettysburg had a Spencer not far off from yours in serial number
https://www.horsesoldier.com/products/firearms/carbines/22630

Roy Marcot wrote a reference book, but they're out of print and expensive. You might try an inter-library loan.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0970760825/?tag=civilwartalkc-20

For what it's worth, I believe Bannerman's sold some surplus Spencers to the French for use in the Franco-Prussian War.
@Story, thanks much for the Horse Soldier link and the additional info!
 
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