Spencer Rifle Serial #2158

[Unforgiven]

Thanks to Two Flints for the information below:

"I am delighted to report that your Spencer Rifle serial # 2158 - was issued to the 5th Independent Company of Ohio Volunteer Sharpshooters on August 16, 1863.  I Founded and have been the sole Moderator of the Spencer Shooting Society for 12 years and have only come across 6 Spencers with an exact serial # in my research books.  Your Spencer Rifle is #7 - an exact match."

[treebeard]

Great find! Is this a family rifle? Know who it was issued to?

[Unforgiven]

No, I do not know anything about it, other than what Two Flints has told me.

I will have to research the 5th Independent Company of Ohio Volunteer Sharpshooters.

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[Two Flints]

How did you come by it? Dealer sale? We are curious about it!

Two Flints

[Unforgiven]

Antique sale in Canada.

Is it possible to know who carried it?

A little research and it looks like this one might have been at the Battle of Chickamauga?

[PvtGreg]

It could very well be part of a group of Spencers used in the Finian Revolt in CA.  Don't know if an SN range for those weapons exists.

[Unforgiven]

How do I go about requesting a factory letter from the SMS?

[treebeard]

Unforgiven- your rifle does look to come from a unit that had some interesting engagements despite being used mainly as a HQ guard unit. You might be able to see reports of the unit actions from both sides perspectives in the official records of the Union and Confederate Armies.
There are other places such as state archives that also can help.
Of course this amount of effort would require considerable amount of time investment.  I once went thru all known personnel records for one civil war regiment and the time involved was serious. I do not regret the effort but would need major motivation to do it again-- I did learn a lot
I did not expect to see happen to these men.