I also need help with Spencer serial #

[Cannon Fodder]

I picked up a spencer in a horse trade. Serial #  8087. Any help  greatly appreciated.

Best,Cannon Fodder

[Two Flints]

Cannon Fodder,

Check back to this post for any info I have for you.

How about some photos of your Spencer?  Low serial #, got to see some photos of it!

The closest two matches (before and after) your Spencer Rifle serial # 8087 are:

Spencer Rifle serial # 8063 issued to a member of Co. K 97th Indiana Volunteer Infantry on or about 04-08-1865;  and
Spencer rifle serial # 8120 issued to a member of Co. G 8th Indiana Volunteer Cavalry on or about 04-08-1865.

Best I can give you,

Two Flints

[Cannon Fodder]

Two Flints  and others

TF great info  on my serial number.  Yeah I thought this was  a rifle since there is no  carbine  attachment device. Gun appears to have  been  modified   to look like a carbine  by adding  a heavy "bull type " barrel  which appears to maybe  be  56/46 caliber. Could they have been trying to make a target rifle  out of it ? It weighs over 11 pounds. From the receiver back( including magazine  assembly )  it appears to be original. I have handled many  lever actions in the past but this appears to be one of the "sweetest" actions  I have ever encountered. What would you all do?  Try to maybe return it to a rifle if I  can find a barrel and forearm? Shorten the "bull barrel " to actual carbine length and reduce the weight? Or, just leave it alone?

I will try to get photos in the near future(Wife knows how!)

Best,Cannon Fodder

[Two Flints]

Cannon Fodder,

You said it yourself... "it appears to be original. I have handled many lever actions in the past but this appears to be one of the "sweetest" actions  I have ever encountered".  

Cannon Fodder, if it ain't broke, don't try to fix it. Leave it alone, and enjoy what you have the way it is

My vote is to leave it alone   And, post those photos...lots of photos

Two Flints