- Guns
- The Galleries
- Museums
- Gun Info & Research
The serial number was placed on the carbine receiver during the manufacturing process of the receiver, not when the carbine was finally assembled. 1986 glasstream bass boat. The decision for which receivers would be used for the U.S. Survey programs for hp 50g calculator. Carbine Models M1 or M1A1, and some of the M2's, were made well after the receiver was completed as all of these models used the same receiver. Spencer Model 1865 carbine was manufactured by Burnside Rifle company, Providence Rhode Island. Approximately 34,000 were produced, serial numbers ran from 1 to 34000. The straight cartridge used for the Model 1860 carbine was replaced with a new tapered cartrige, referred to as 56 /52 or 56 /50, the actual bullet was either.52cal or.50cal. Feb 14, 2013 I've done a little research on this carbine and found the following: From U.S. MILITARY ARMS, Dates of Manufacture, From 1795, Collectors Edition, By George Madis: Sharps 1859-1865 MODEL: Over 100,000 guns of these models were purchased by the U.S. Between 1860 and 1865.Serial numbers from near 3000 to 100000. Thereafter the letter 'C' indicates 100000, for example, 'C 200' would be the serial.
- Dec 14, 2019 Date; Breechldrs Spencer Carbine Case Study: Model 1860 or Model 1865? Small Arms & Edged Weapons: 11: Jan 20, 2020: D: Breechldrs Spencer 1865 Carbine Serial Number research: Small Arms & Edged Weapons: 12: Oct 21, 2019: T: Ammo for 1865 Spencer carbine perhaps 56-56, slugs at.526: Small Arms & Edged Weapons: 14: Dec 15, 2018: G: 1865.
- Burnside Model 1865 Spencer Carbines,.50 carbine caliber (.56-50 Spencer), 7 shot magazinloader, manufactured in 1865, serial number 1 to 34,500 left side right side Spencer Sporting Rifle,.56-46 Spencer, 7 shot magazineloader rifle, manufactured from 1864 to 1868, serial number in the same range as Model 1860 Spencer Rifles od Carbines.
The Galleries
- A Nation Asunder - 1861 to 1865
This Spencer rifle bears serial number 4452 and was manufacturedin 1863.
The Spencer rifle, with its lever action, seven shot tubularmagazine and internally-primed metallic-cased cartridge, was apopular wartime breechloader. Its inventor, Christopher Spencer,was a native of Connecticut and a former employee of Samuel Colt.His design was one of the most technologically-advanced arms of theCivil War era, but because of the time required to sell both hisidea and his guns to the U.S. government, they were not availableuntil 1863.
These modern arms, in both rifle and carbine configuration, weremore than a match for anything that the Confederates could muster.The firepower of the Spencer was used with devastating effect onmany Civil War battlefields. In its first combat test,Spencer-armed Union troops under the command of Colonel John Wilderearned the nickname 'Lightning Brigade' when they defeated anumerically-superior Confederate force at the Battle of Hoover'sGap, Tennessee on June 24, 1863.
One week later, the Spencer again saw action in the hands oftroopers of the 5th Michigan Cavalry Regiment of George Custer'sBrigade at the Battle of Gettysburg. Spencers continued to servethrough the end of the Civil War, and saw action during the IndianWars as well.
Christian Minor Spencer was born in Manchester, Connecticut onJune 20, 1833. At age 11, he went to live with his maternalgrandfather, Josiah Hollister, a veteran of the Revolutionary War.It was there that young Christian learned the rudiments of wood-and metalworking. By the age of 14, Spencer was apprenticed to theMount Nebo Silk Manufacturing Co., located in South Manchester,Connecticut. This firm was owned by the Cheney family, one of NewEngland's most enterprising and influential families. After a year,he entered a second apprenticeship, this time with local machinistSamuel Loomis.
In late 1850, Spencer returned to the employ of the Cheneys as amachinist. During this period, he perfected several experimentalmachine designs, and in the process, he developed what would be alifelong relationship with the Cheneys. At the advice of FrankCheney, Spencer worked as a toolmaker in Rochester, New York, thenas a machinist in the locomotive repair shops of the New YorkCentral Railroad. He also worked briefly for the N. P. Ames Companyof Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, where he received his firstformal experience with the manufacture of firearms. His next stopwas at the factory of Samuel Colt, where he helped to design manyof the specialized machines used in the production of Coltrevolvers. C
hristian renewed his employment with the Cheney family in 1854when, at the age of 22, he became superintendent of hisbenefactor's new silk ribbon manufactory in Hartford. During thisperiod, Spencer designed and patented a machine to attach labels tospools, thus allowing one shop girl to do the work of three. TheCheneys paid Spencer a $25 royalty on every machine he produced.Although working 11 hour days six days per week, Spencer began toexperiment with an idea for a breech-loading repeatingfirearm.
By 1859, with the encouragement of both his father and theCheneys, he had perfected a lever-action rolling block rifledesign, and on March 6, 1860, he was awarded a U.S. patent for hiswork. With financial backing from his father, Ogden Spencer, aprosperous wool merchant, Christian was able to secure the servicesof Luke Wheelock, an experienced gunsmith, for the production ofprototype firearms. Spencer also befriended Richard S. Lawrence,then superintendent of the Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company, andthis association most likely influenced certain aspects ofSpencer's design.
By the spring of 1861, civil war had come to America, and theCheney family entered into a contract with Spencer in which allrights and patents for Spencer's rifle design would be assigned tothem. In return, Spencer would receive a royalty of $1 for everyrifle produced. This was later lowered to 50 cents for eachmilitary arm produced. The Cheneys had long been friends of GideonWelles, Secretary of the Navy in Abraham Lincoln's administration,and this gave them, and Spencer's rifle, access to governmentofficials in Washington.
At this time, Spencer also contracted with Connecticut ammunitionmakers Crittenden & Tibbals for the manufacture of a .56caliber rimfire metallic cartridge for use in his rifle. In itsfinal form, the Spencer rifle employed a spring-loaded seven-shottubular magazine which was located in the buttstock, and alever-action which, when operated, ejected a spent cartridge andchambered a fresh one. Manual cocking of the hammer then readiedthe rifle for firing.
The stage was now set for Spencer's rise to fame. Through thepatronage of Secretary Welles, Spencer's rifle was successfullytested by the Navy, resulting in the purchase of 1,000 guns. Armytrials followed in the spring of 1862, and this resulted in thesale of an additional 10,000 guns. In addition, President AbrahamLincoln also took part in a demonstration of the Spencer, firingseven shots at a target forty yards away. This demonstration tookplace on the Mall, near the site of the Washington Monument, andresulted in Lincoln's personal endorsement of the arm. Spencer nowhad contracts but no manufacturing facilities.
Once again, the Cheney family would prove to be indispensable toSpencer, as Charles Cheney rented a portion of a piano factory inBoston for production of Spencer firearms. After several delays,the first shipment of Spencer carbines was delivered on December31, 1862. Both Army and Navy placed additional orders during thesummer of 1863, and many other Spencer arms were purchasedprivately.
By the end of the war, more than 144,000 Spencer rifles andcarbines had been manufactured; over two-thirds were purchased bythe U.S. government. To keep up with demand, Spencer subcontractedsome production to the Burnside Rifle Co. of Providence, RhodeIsland. Spencer rifles and carbines met with high praise from thosewho were equipped with them, and with respect from those who facedthem in battle. In its first combat test, Spencer-armed Uniontroops under the command of Colonel John Wilder earned the nickname'Lightning Brigade' when they defeated a numerically superiorConfederate force at the Battle of Hoover's Gap, Tennessee on June24, 1863.
One week later, Spencer rifles again saw action in the hands oftroopers of the 5th Michigan Cavalry Regiment of General GeorgeArmstrong Custer's Brigade at the Battle of Gettysburg. Wilder'stroops were called on again at the Battle of Chickamauga inSeptember, 1863, when they fought to hold the Union center in theface of determined attacks by General James Longstreet'sConfederates. Spencer rifles and carbines also saw service withseveral other Union infantry and cavalry regiments.
Although the South lacked the capacity to manufacture metalliccartridges used by the Spencer, captured arms and ammunition sawservice with troops under the command of Colonel John Mosby, thefamed 'Gray Ghost of the Confederacy,' as well as with other unitsand individuals. The effectiveness of the Spencer was greatlyincreased by two other inventions, the Blakeslee cartridge box, andthe Stabler cut-off device. The Blakeslee cartridge box wasinvented by Union cavalryman Erastus Blakeslee and consisted of aleather-covered wood box containing six to ten tubes, each of whichheld seven Spencer cartridges. Troops equipped with these boxescould quickly reload the gun that, in the words of one awedConfederate, could be 'loaded on Sunday and fired all week.'
Later Spencers, beginning with the Model 1865, were equipped witha cut-off mechanism invented by Edward Stabler which, when engaged,prevented the breechblock from moving far enough to chamber acartridge from the buttstock magazine. This device permitted theSpencer to be used as a single-shot arm, with a full magazine heldin reserve. Spencer carbines continued to serve on the frontierafter the Civil War, but the firm's prodigious wartime outputcontributed to a large post-war surplus.
Declining sales forced the Spencer Repeating Rifle Co. intoinsolvency, and in October, 1868, all of the company's assets weresold to the Fogerty Rifle Co. of Boston. Within a year, Fogerty'sassets were in turn purchased by Oliver Winchester, and ChristianSpencer agreed to assign all future repeating rifle designs orimprovements to Winchester. Spencer later returned to the firearmsindustry with the formation of the Spencer Arms Co., whichmanufactured his design for the first practical pump-actionshotgun. This firm was later sold to noted arms dealer FrancisBannerman. Christian Spencer died on January 14, 1922.
These modern arms, in both rifle and carbine configuration, weremore than a match for anything that the Confederates could muster.The firepower of the Spencer was used with devastating effect onmany Civil War battlefields. In its first combat test,Spencer-armed Union troops under the command of Colonel John Wilderearned the nickname 'Lightning Brigade' when they defeated anumerically-superior Confederate force at the Battle of Hoover'sGap, Tennessee on June 24, 1863.
One week later, the Spencer again saw action in the hands oftroopers of the 5th Michigan Cavalry Regiment of George Custer'sBrigade at the Battle of Gettysburg. Spencers continued to servethrough the end of the Civil War, and saw action during the IndianWars as well.
Christian Minor Spencer was born in Manchester, Connecticut onJune 20, 1833. At age 11, he went to live with his maternalgrandfather, Josiah Hollister, a veteran of the Revolutionary War.It was there that young Christian learned the rudiments of wood-and metalworking. By the age of 14, Spencer was apprenticed to theMount Nebo Silk Manufacturing Co., located in South Manchester,Connecticut. This firm was owned by the Cheney family, one of NewEngland's most enterprising and influential families. After a year,he entered a second apprenticeship, this time with local machinistSamuel Loomis.
In late 1850, Spencer returned to the employ of the Cheneys as amachinist. During this period, he perfected several experimentalmachine designs, and in the process, he developed what would be alifelong relationship with the Cheneys. At the advice of FrankCheney, Spencer worked as a toolmaker in Rochester, New York, thenas a machinist in the locomotive repair shops of the New YorkCentral Railroad. He also worked briefly for the N. P. Ames Companyof Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, where he received his firstformal experience with the manufacture of firearms. His next stopwas at the factory of Samuel Colt, where he helped to design manyof the specialized machines used in the production of Coltrevolvers. C
hristian renewed his employment with the Cheney family in 1854when, at the age of 22, he became superintendent of hisbenefactor's new silk ribbon manufactory in Hartford. During thisperiod, Spencer designed and patented a machine to attach labels tospools, thus allowing one shop girl to do the work of three. TheCheneys paid Spencer a $25 royalty on every machine he produced.Although working 11 hour days six days per week, Spencer began toexperiment with an idea for a breech-loading repeatingfirearm.
By 1859, with the encouragement of both his father and theCheneys, he had perfected a lever-action rolling block rifledesign, and on March 6, 1860, he was awarded a U.S. patent for hiswork. With financial backing from his father, Ogden Spencer, aprosperous wool merchant, Christian was able to secure the servicesof Luke Wheelock, an experienced gunsmith, for the production ofprototype firearms. Spencer also befriended Richard S. Lawrence,then superintendent of the Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company, andthis association most likely influenced certain aspects ofSpencer's design.
By the spring of 1861, civil war had come to America, and theCheney family entered into a contract with Spencer in which allrights and patents for Spencer's rifle design would be assigned tothem. In return, Spencer would receive a royalty of $1 for everyrifle produced. This was later lowered to 50 cents for eachmilitary arm produced. The Cheneys had long been friends of GideonWelles, Secretary of the Navy in Abraham Lincoln's administration,and this gave them, and Spencer's rifle, access to governmentofficials in Washington.
At this time, Spencer also contracted with Connecticut ammunitionmakers Crittenden & Tibbals for the manufacture of a .56caliber rimfire metallic cartridge for use in his rifle. In itsfinal form, the Spencer rifle employed a spring-loaded seven-shottubular magazine which was located in the buttstock, and alever-action which, when operated, ejected a spent cartridge andchambered a fresh one. Manual cocking of the hammer then readiedthe rifle for firing.
The stage was now set for Spencer's rise to fame. Through thepatronage of Secretary Welles, Spencer's rifle was successfullytested by the Navy, resulting in the purchase of 1,000 guns. Armytrials followed in the spring of 1862, and this resulted in thesale of an additional 10,000 guns. In addition, President AbrahamLincoln also took part in a demonstration of the Spencer, firingseven shots at a target forty yards away. This demonstration tookplace on the Mall, near the site of the Washington Monument, andresulted in Lincoln's personal endorsement of the arm. Spencer nowhad contracts but no manufacturing facilities.
Once again, the Cheney family would prove to be indispensable toSpencer, as Charles Cheney rented a portion of a piano factory inBoston for production of Spencer firearms. After several delays,the first shipment of Spencer carbines was delivered on December31, 1862. Both Army and Navy placed additional orders during thesummer of 1863, and many other Spencer arms were purchasedprivately.
By the end of the war, more than 144,000 Spencer rifles andcarbines had been manufactured; over two-thirds were purchased bythe U.S. government. To keep up with demand, Spencer subcontractedsome production to the Burnside Rifle Co. of Providence, RhodeIsland. Spencer rifles and carbines met with high praise from thosewho were equipped with them, and with respect from those who facedthem in battle. In its first combat test, Spencer-armed Uniontroops under the command of Colonel John Wilder earned the nickname'Lightning Brigade' when they defeated a numerically superiorConfederate force at the Battle of Hoover's Gap, Tennessee on June24, 1863.
One week later, Spencer rifles again saw action in the hands oftroopers of the 5th Michigan Cavalry Regiment of General GeorgeArmstrong Custer's Brigade at the Battle of Gettysburg. Wilder'stroops were called on again at the Battle of Chickamauga inSeptember, 1863, when they fought to hold the Union center in theface of determined attacks by General James Longstreet'sConfederates. Spencer rifles and carbines also saw service withseveral other Union infantry and cavalry regiments.
Although the South lacked the capacity to manufacture metalliccartridges used by the Spencer, captured arms and ammunition sawservice with troops under the command of Colonel John Mosby, thefamed 'Gray Ghost of the Confederacy,' as well as with other unitsand individuals. The effectiveness of the Spencer was greatlyincreased by two other inventions, the Blakeslee cartridge box, andthe Stabler cut-off device. The Blakeslee cartridge box wasinvented by Union cavalryman Erastus Blakeslee and consisted of aleather-covered wood box containing six to ten tubes, each of whichheld seven Spencer cartridges. Troops equipped with these boxescould quickly reload the gun that, in the words of one awedConfederate, could be 'loaded on Sunday and fired all week.'
Later Spencers, beginning with the Model 1865, were equipped witha cut-off mechanism invented by Edward Stabler which, when engaged,prevented the breechblock from moving far enough to chamber acartridge from the buttstock magazine. This device permitted theSpencer to be used as a single-shot arm, with a full magazine heldin reserve. Spencer carbines continued to serve on the frontierafter the Civil War, but the firm's prodigious wartime outputcontributed to a large post-war surplus.
Declining sales forced the Spencer Repeating Rifle Co. intoinsolvency, and in October, 1868, all of the company's assets weresold to the Fogerty Rifle Co. of Boston. Within a year, Fogerty'sassets were in turn purchased by Oliver Winchester, and ChristianSpencer agreed to assign all future repeating rifle designs orimprovements to Winchester. Spencer later returned to the firearmsindustry with the formation of the Spencer Arms Co., whichmanufactured his design for the first practical pump-actionshotgun. This firm was later sold to noted arms dealer FrancisBannerman. Christian Spencer died on January 14, 1922.
$4,250.00
Spencer Carbine Serial Number Range
Description
One of approximately 50,000 Spencer Carbines manufactured between 1863 and 1865. Serial numbers for carbines started at 11,000 and went to 61,000. Diablo 2 iso. Mahjong 247 summer. This one in the 24,000 range would have been made during the first year of manufacture. It remains in fine condition with excellent wood, markings and metal.
It is in original Civil War configuration, escaping the post war alterations done to 11,000 of these firearms.
The 22″ barrel is smooth, having aged to a nice light brown patina. The receiver and balance of metal parts were case hardenend and have also aged to a matching patina, showing mottled remnants of the case hardening. All markings in the metal are excellent, including the company name, and patent dates. The .56 caliber bore is minty. The action is tight and crisp.
M1860 Spencer Carbine Serial Numbers
The wood is absolutely beautiful on this carbine. Edges are sharp and crisp. Wood to metal fit is perfect. The buttstock is almost unmarred on the right side and has only a few small dings on the left. Two cartouches are visible on the left wrist. All wood is solid with no cracks.
These carbines were issued and used hard during the last two years of the war. Many were issued to western cavalry units after 1865 for use during the Indian Wars. Finding an unaltered example in this exceptional condition is rare. Bundle for office gn templates 7 0 3.
Related products
Special Order Winchester 1873 Rifle – Case Colored Receiver – Manuf. 1887
$7,875.00Marlin Model 93 Carbine – Mint & Exceptional
$3,400.00Hartford Sharps Buffalo Rifle – Model 1874 – Shipped to Dodge City Kansas
$23,500.00US Model 1841 Mississppi Rifle – E. Whitney Contract – Fine Condition
$5,250.00