New UK member low serial number Spencer help

[richhack]

Hi All. New member from the UK, I have just acquired a very nice early 1860 spencer carbine with low serial number 262 thought this must be the place to ask if any one has any info on the number. Great forum have got a lot of good reading to do all the best Richard.

[Two Flints]

Hi Rich,

Such a low number   I checked on your serial # 262.  Quite a few of the 3 digit serial numbered Spencer Carbines were issued to Company C, 19th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry,  but no date is given in my research book.    Closest serial # to your 262 that I found is serial # 265 also issued to the 19th Pennsylvania unit.  Hope you read my Spencer Serial # Disclaimer on the first page of my Spencer Shooting Society (SSS).

I will add your username/alias to the SSS Membership list.

Two Flints

[richhack]

Hi Two Flints. Many thanks for the info, yes I did read your disclaimer thanks again. Richard.

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[Herbert]

It looks to me that it is a 1865 model Spencer carbine,that would account for the low serial number,pictures of the top of the action and address would tell

[richhack]

Hi Herbert. Thanks for your help pictures attached address  worn but reads
Spencer Repeating
Rifle Co. Boston, Mass
Pat'd March 6 1860

Many thanks Richard.

[Herbert]

The only outward difference between the early 1865 Spencer carbine (below serial No 2000)and the 1860 Spencer carbine is the caliber the 1865 is 56-50 and will not accept a 56-56 cartridge (the groove diameter will also be smaller,.510 to.520) with the low serial No I would bet it is a early 1865 model(some of these  may have been issued at the closing of the CW and is why the low serial number carbines show up on records)low serial numbers such as yours would have also been applied to the early 1860 rifle contract and at that time I do not think Spencer would have had time to experiment with carbines,I have been wrong many times before so if you can measure the groove diameter it should decide the matter

[richhack]

Hi Herbert. I have some old inert 56 56 cartridges and they chamber and cycle fine. Thanks for your help. Richard.

[Herbert]

The very early 1860 carbines(earliest known spencer carbine in Markots book is 7886)has a Sharps type sling bare.Yours seems to have the production type sling bar.The 56-56 cartridge fitting is something I did not expect,have you measured the groove diameter

[richhack]

Hi Herbert. I do not have the right tool to measure the diameter at the moment I will try to get hold of something it will be good to know for sure, as for the sling bar this could be a later part . Many thanks. Richard.

[richhack]

Hi Herbert. I have measured the groove diameter 0.524 I also checked the inert cartridges as I though they may be 56 52 they mike up at Base .560 Neck .541. Regards Richard.

[Herbert]

.524 would be the groove diameter for the 56-50 and the 56-52.That confirms this carbine is one of the fist 2000 M 1865 spencer carbines

[richhack]

Hi Herbert. Thanks for all your help there is no 1865 marking is the usual for an early one also it still has 6 narrow grooves in the rifling is this correct for an 1865. Thanks Richard.

[Herbert]

All correct for a early 1865 catbine,the only change made in the early 1865 from the 1860 model was caliber,I am not even shore that it was fitted with the 1865 spring assist extractor or the 1865 rear sight.pictures of these parts would help

[richhack]

Hi Herbert. Thanks again for all your help pictures below non spring assist extractor, early sight plus one of the cartridges that cycle and chamber looks like a 56 56 but has very slight taper to case base .560 neck .528 case length .943 overall length 1.656 bullet diameter .528
Thanks again Richard. ps barrel length to face of breech block 20. 

[richhack]

sorry fogot to add pics

[Herbert]

That clears that up.seems that the spring assist extractor and the 1865 sight were not used on the early 1865 carbines

[richhack]

Yeh that seems to confirm many thanks for your input. All the best Richard.