What would have been the date of manufacture based on the serial number 53299?
Does anyone know what regiment this Spencer carbine would have been issued to?
ESA inspector’s marking. (Erskine S. Allin)
As well as two other inspectors’ cartouches----does anyone recognize these inspectors’ initials?
After the Civil War the Spencer carbine was one of the guns that were chosen for alteration by the Springfield Armory between 1867-1874.
Over 11,000 carbines were altered to accommodate the 50-caliber copper cased rimfire (56-52 and 56-50 interchangeable) cartridge.
A small swivel device known as the “Stabler cut-off “was added forward of the trigger to allow for use as a single shot (it keeps the breech from opening completely).
The modified carbines bear an “ESA” inspectors mark in an oval cartouche on the left side of the stock.
Erskine S. Allin.
Thanks,
David