The serial number is really hard to make out and I have refrained from using anything on it. The original front site, complete with the brass insert is present at the end of the 30 barrel. Alger had nearly 80 of the rifles his regiment received given to a captain friend in the sister 6th Regiment Michigan Cavalry, who used them to arm two of their companies. Model 1860 Spencer Carbine, .56-56 Spencer caliber, 7 shot magazinloader, manufactured from 1863 to 1865, serial number 11,001 to 62,000, the U.S. Army received 45,733 arms right side, 22" barrel, . Rifle is a .52 caliber rimfire longarm that used the "No. The first five hundred were shipped in early December 1862 and issued at the end of the month. Shoulder stock is equally as nice with only a old, shallow 1 long gouge on the left cheek of the stock. I have SN; 12638. Please tell me if there are any photos or record of him owning or being issued a Spenser? He tinkered around with the idea of a single shot, magazine fed, repeating rifle which used a large metallic cartridge. The Spencer repeating carbine was adopted in limited numbers by the United States Army, and its rapid fire ability made it popular with cavalry. However its fun to learn new things every day. SPENCER MODEL 1865 RIFLE WITH BAYONET ANDSPENCER MODEL 1865 RIFLE WITH BAYONET AND SCABBARD. Spencer patented his rifle on March 6, 1860. I think that the PN unit was sold these carbines and that will help me to determin if this is the case. DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. The top of the receiver has some light salt and peppering, but the markings are clear:SPENCER REPEATING/ RIFLE CO BOSTON MASS / PATd MARCH 6, 1860, and the serial number on the wrist, 2139, is sharp. This is a conversion model, which was sent to the troops in the; MODEL 1865 SPENCER CONTRACT MODEL CARBINE.MODEL 1865 SPENCER CONTRACT MODEL CARBINE. We were the first regiment armed with Spencer Rifles (my gun was #51) and I still think it the best service gun I have ever seen. Our museum services staff checked their sources and it appears likely that this weapon was issued in May 1865 to the 1st Maryland Cavalry. The original magazine tube is present and in very good condition, it is the correct Civil War era style with a smooth base plate, not the Indian War era grooved base plate version. Receiver is a blue brown patina with some fine surface oxidation. Overall the metal is much nicer than most Spencers encountered today. Features rear flip-up sight and front blade site emanating from a socket bayonet lug. Some members of the Penn. The right butt carries the KHP initials, appearing in small, stippled circles as raised letters. It has very nice metal, and decent bore and typical dried out wood, indicating that it has been in the dry West for a considerable time. two to five brigades formed a division. The color (2023-2227). Whitworths were unique because they were breech loading and were The overall length of the rifle is 47 1/8 inches. Does anyone have an idea as to how one can trace the history of a Burnside Spencer carbine serial number 3032 ?? Spencer Repeating Rifle Co Boston, Mass 56 - 50 - Guns International [sr] [ph:L]. As issued to Michigan Cavalry and in the 15XX serial range, it is one of but a handful to have survived the war. 32-5/8" rnd bbl. The internet is now the classic perpetrator of Urban Legends, but this has been going on for centuries. 56" Spencer rimfire cartridge. Supervisory Historian, GNMP. I recently acquired a Spencer .56 .56 The only visible marking is serial number 1649.It hasnt a rear sight, looks like it never had one. Cimarron's Spencer 1865 Carbine - Guns and Ammo He had Sharps carbines. lead slugs half an inch in diameter and an inch long. }. For questions or accessibility help - please call (908) 903-1200. Be the first to know of our latest discoveries and exclusive offers. cavalry battle on July 3. 6th US Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. Action functions as it should, though stiff at full cock. All the above regiments were armed with Sharps carbines. They i do appreciate your time and comments. weapon of both armies was a muzzle-loading rifle musket about 4.7 feet This rifle is crisply numbered 2139 and falls well within this third purchase range. Very Fast. shoulder to shoulder, the file closets in the rear. While no Spencer carbines were in the field at the time of the battle of Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863), the 5th Michigan cavalry (part of Custers brigade) was armed with the Spencer Army rifle and used them very effectively on July 3 against General J.E.B. Their production followed a Navy contract of about 700 rifles that extended into the 800 serial number range. I consulted the Coates/McAulay book without success, does anyone have further resources that might help me identify the unit it was issued to? However, it is ultimately the responsibility of the buyer to be in compliance of laws that govern their specific location. regiments posted on their flanks or in their rear. I have the book called Civil War Sharps Carbines and Rifles by Earl J. Coates and John D. McAulay. I purchased a 1860 Spencer with serial number 1646. Your email address will not be published. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. I have an 1860 saddle ring carbine serial # 11384 that was a range match to 19th Penn. Most good running WW2 jeeps still stateside on training bases brought good money after the war, and a great many were donated to schools, emergency services and other government agencies. If so, I was always under the belief that they were issued the Rifle, not the carbine. away, attempting to gain the enemy's flank if feasible, until one side About half of these were rifled iron pieces, all but four In his (never published) memoirs he writes: We drew our arms very soon after our arrival in Washington, Spencer Rifles, Colts Revolvers, and sabers. Just saw an article in yesterdays (2012-01-24) New York Times Disunion Blog about the Union Army and Spencer Rifles stating (wrongly) that Bufords cavalrymen were armed with Spencers in their opening actions at Gettysburg. Throughout the 1850s, Christopher Spencer was an inventor and tinkerer. Thanks, Joe Patchen. Last week at a gun show in Pasadena Texas I got a origional Spenser serial number 30691 patnent date March 1860. I was under the impression that some(and not all) of Custers men were using Spencer Rifles in the Battle, but my Spencer apparently was not one of them, it is SN 2725, possible with Wilders Units or the Ohio Separate Sharpshooters, in the west(well now midwest). Spencer decided to market his new rifle directly toNorthern state governments. All Images and Text Copyright 2003-2023 International Military Antiques Inc. All Rights Reserved. I am NOT interested in selling my spencer rifle. This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction. Standard receiver top flat is marked SPENCER REPEATING/RIFLE CO. BOSTON MASS./PATD MARCH 6 1860. This is a very rare rifle, worthy of prominent place in any Civil War, cavalry, or Gettysburg collection. I am also looking for information on A spencer I just found. Estimated Price: $ 27,500 - $ 40,000 Price Realized: Details Exceptional Civil War Spencer Model 1860 Army Rifle Manufacturer: Spencer Model: 1860 Type: Rifle Gauge: 56 Spencer Barrel: 30 inch Finish: blue/casehardened Grip: Stock: walnut Item Views: 6694 Item Interest: Very Active Serial Number: Catalog Page: 112 Class: Antique Description: Yes, I got an approximation for the unit and a range of serial numbers. Check the post again. Sword correlated production numbers with deliveries to provide estimated serial number ranges for the 1,200 Copeland Spencers. Learn More , Sept. 16 - 17: 2023 MAC Show, York Expo Center, York, PA Learn More , FANTASTIC FRAMED DRAWING OF THE BATTLE OF DRAINSVILLE DONE BY GETTYSBURG CARTOGRAPHER EMMOR B. This product is available for international shipping. We assume no liability associated with misuse of our products. Pages 65-66. Unfortunately, B.M. You are expected to join the society( at no cost) and submit info that others owning original spencers may be interested in. Mr. Tuckersee my 12/18/11 and 6/8/12 comments, above. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. In Marcots book, Spencer Repeating Firearms, he details the fact that Custers troops had 479 Spencer rifles that they successfully used to stop Jeb Stuarts attempt to flank and attack the rear. All orders are subject to acceptance by IMA Inc, which reserves the right to refuse any order. The first 500 were delivered about January 5, 1863 followed by another 500 in mid to late January 1863. The Spencer is a lever-action repeating rifle designed by Christopher Spencer in 1860. Thanks in advance for any return on my query !!! Thank You Very Much. MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM. The rifle rates good-plus for condition, showing handling marks as would be expected from these rifles with over two years of service, and the postwar initials, but is complete and all original, with clear markings, a pleasing overall warm brown tone to the wood and smooth metal with good color and markings. EARLY SPENCER Cavalry Rifle CIVIL WAR Antique! Low Serial Number Army Contrary to Captain Hunts assertion that General Gearys men pushed back an entire division of General Richard Ewells men on July 2 and saved the Union right flank with their Spencer repeaters, the truth was there was nary a Spencer in Gearys division. Since the average Jeff, Thanks for your comments. Keep my address and let me know when you are ready. Joe Patchen. if possible. Finally, after nearly two years of frustration with the War Department, Spencer secured an appointed to see President Lincoln himself in the spring of 1862 to promote his rifle and secure a contract with the War Department. What I can suggest is that do your best to figure where the item lived the most then contact the historical societies and military units there at the time. To Order: Call 717-334-0347, Fax 717-334-5016, or E-mail. IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. HISTORICAL CIVIL WAR 1860 SPENCER RIFLE - Guns International I have read the Marcot book, but am not as close to an answer as I would like. You can find an excellent history of Spencers efforts to sell his exceptional weapons to the military in the book by William B. Edwards, Civil War Guns (Stackpole & Co., Harrisburg, PA, 1962). Auction: Firearms - Spring 2011. A brigade of cavalry hurried down to the ford and crossed, and the Fifth returned to their horses. The forestock matches in color and has good edges below the lower band and above the upper band, with slight rounding and darkening between the middle and upper band from handling- the natural place to hold and balance the rifle. IMA works diligently to be aware of these ever changing laws and obeys them accordingly. Born in Switzerland,died in Detroit. Overall condition as seen in photos. It is in really good condition. This means, as an example, there would be three serial number 1,500 Spencers manufactured, the first a Model 1860 rifle,one of the very rare Copeland Spencers that went with the Michigan Cavalry to Gettysburg, the second a Model 1865 Spencer made in 1865, and the third a Burnside Contract Model 1865, also made in 1865. Help please. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Thanks to all for this great article and subsequent discussion! spencer rifle for sale on GunsAmerica. Buy a spencer rifle o pounder guns. Sold Location: Keller, TX 76244. The action is excellent. This site provides values and information on firearms in a convenient online pricing guide format, and allows you to find out what your used guns are worth. My Spencer is definitely a rifle. I have seen one knock a man over at half a mile and that is far enough; anyone further away than that ought to be safe., About the events of May 6 1864 he writes Once on the woods we halted, dismounted and charged back at the enemy. This early production Model 1860 Spencer Army Rifle falls within the serial number range estimated by Wiley Sword in 1997 for the 1,200 Spencer rifles delivered to the Washington Arsenal in late January 1863, 200 of which were sent to Col. Joseph Copeland to complete his order, coincidentally also of 1,200 rifles, for his 5th Michigan Cavalry. Thanks for your help. Dear Mr. Hartwig I am still interested to know more about my 1860 model spencer carbine serial # 11385 (very low). Unfortunately our resources at the park are inadequate to identify which unit may have received the Sharps carbine you have. On June 7, 1861- just three months after Fort Sumter- Spencer's rifle was tested by the U.S. Army. Any Copeland Spencer is scarce, but the survival rate of rifles from the first delivery is extremely low. The forestock shows a narrow gouge between the lower and middle band, and some chipping and narrow gouges at the upper band. It is interesting to note that the 34th Virginia Battalion of Cavalry which was armed with a mixture of muzzle loading arms more than held their own at the Rummel Farm against the Spencer rifles of the 5th Michigan. This early production Model 1860 Spencer Army Rifle falls within the serial number range estimated by Wiley Sword in 1997 for the 1,200 Spencer rifles delivered to the Washington Arsenal in late January 1863, 200 of which were sent to Col. Joseph Copeland to complete his order . Mechanically good with one very minor exception: the spring for the cartridge guide (the piece that sits atop the breech block and guides the spent case out of the receiver and then guides the new cartridge into the chamber) is loose or broken so there is no tension on the guide. They came in many models, but the . sometimes held lead balls or shrapnel. NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). Maybe this was and found its way back home !! Expanded by the addition of the 1st Michigan cavalry and an artillery battery, it was placed under the command of the recently promoted George Custer, who took it into action at Hanover, Hunterstown and Gettysburg, where on July 3 the brigade and its Spencers played a key role in halting Jeb Stuarts attack behind the Union right. Ive understodd that some Reb may have ended with one one of the Michigan Spencers from their action at Hanover PA a couple days beforeperhaps thats more likely than private purchase, as there were really no rifles available for private purchase at that time. Spencer Repeating Rifle Company - American Firearms This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering. Thats an eye opener! John if you go to CAS City forums and join the Spencer Shooting Society, its free, there are people on that forum that can probably give you some info. Thanks. In his 1861 proposal to the U.S. War Department, Christopher Spencer offered his complete repeating rifle for $40 each, which included the angular bayonet. Cal. Joe Patchen: brigade moved forward in a single or double line of regiments until it Ill be at the NPS 150 living history event with the Union artillery on July 1-3, but I think hell be too busy for me to pester him then! Buy a spencer rifle online. The serial number 22733 of this wonderful Spencer repeating rifle is in the range of Spencer rifles that were issued during the U.S. Civil War! There was a fringe of bushes along the River that concealed them till they were right at the River bank, when they were not more than two hundred feet from the enemy, and when they got that close with seven-shooters they were equal to five times their number with muskets. If Im mistaken, I just wonder why a Sharpshooter regiment would be issed a carbine, as the Rifle proved more accurate at distances exceeding 100 yards. Any ideas? Every musket, rifle, display machine gun, machine gun parts set or gun sold by IMA, Inc is engineered to be inoperable according to guidelines provided by the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF). I am sure that there is a technical term for the style I just dont know it !! These were issued about January 5, 1863, and were supplemented by 500 more, delivered in lots of 100 and reaching the 1151-2050 range, issued by January 17. Bore is clean with good rifling. Along with the rifle the U.S. War Department wanted carbines for its cavalry. troops in a rear line when possible. Fax 717-334-5016, or E-mail. Required fields are marked *. Learn More , Sept. 16 - 17: 2023 MAC Show, York Expo Center, York, PA Learn More , THE ONLY KNOWN WIDMANN 1840 CAVALRY OFFICERS SABER: DATED 1844. They could hurl a 12-pound iron ball Confederate attacking forces were In comparison an 1861 Springfield muzzle loader was $14.00). The receiver shows some stains and darker gray spots with some shallow salt and peppering, but has crisp Spencer Repeating Rifle Company markings on the top and the breechblock and loading assembly, when lowered, show significant case colors. Only two units of the Army of the Potomac were armed with Spencer Repeating Rifles at Gettysburg, the 5th and 6th Michigan under George . The fore stock is in very good condition. Parrotts. Two Flints Logged Una mano lava l'altra Finding the Blue Book value of your new and used firearms, including pistols, rifles, shotguns, airguns, and blackpowder guns is easy with the number one source of gun pricing. There is an excellent book on the Spencer by Marcot, and an excellent article by Wiley Sword on the Spencers in the hands of the 5th and 6th Michigan Cav. The gun retains markings on the receiver. Gettysburg National Military Park does not have the resources to research serial numbers on Spencer Rifles. My spencer has serial #8851. There has been confusion and debate about whether or not John Buford's unmounted cavalry had Spencer carbines on the morning of July 1, 1863, at Gettysburg. I have a Sharps if I give you a number will you see what you can find out about it. These cans burst apart on firing, These were the only Spencers on the field at Gettysburg and were in the Michigan Cavalry Brigade under Custer at Hunterstown, Hanover, and on the East Cavalry Field at Gettysburg on July 3. Weapons influenced tactics. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Believe his rank was Captain. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. usually placed in the forward lines, protected by supporting infantry By January 20, 1863, an additional 500 rifles were received that fell in the 1551-2050 range by Swords reckoning, and a final 200, completing Copelands order were received by the end of the month, being drawn from a delivery of 1,200 rifles in the 2051-3250 range (with the remainder going west to the Ohio Sharpshooters.) Source Ready, Aim, Fire !! long, weighing approximately 9 pounds. The Blog of Gettysburg National Military Park, Weapons at Gettysburg The Spencer Repeating Rifle, General John Buford's Spencer Carbine Rifles. I love to see long held myths taken down with cold, hard facts. The Spencer rifle has a 30 inch barrel of 6 grooves, with an overall length of 47 inches and a weight of 10 pounds. of battle the rate of fire was probably slower. The first carbines were accepted by the Union in the autumn of 1863. The result was fierce hand-to-hand combat over the colors. The stock is in very good condition. The strategy worked and some governors made purchases of the rifle. Buford did not have Spencers at Gettysburg. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). The rifles continued in service in the brigade during Lees retreat and subsequent campaigns until the Fall of 1864 when the last of them are recorded in the 5th and 6th Michigan, having been replaced by carbines and lost by attrition. The bore is in good shape with good rifling. One of my Spencer rifles serial number is #2725, and it was made in about February or March of 1863; they were made before the Spencer Carbines were produced. 30791. We have given it only a very gentle wipe over cleaning. In 1860 Spencer applied for and received a U.S. patent for hisSpencer Repeating Rifle. No trace of government cartouche visible. Buy Spencer Rifles For Sale At Auction | Invaluable While the Spencer shooter did have to manually cock the hammer for each shot (the Henry had a speed advantage here, since the toggle action that operated the bolt to eject and load a new round also cocked the hammer), the robust design and powerful cartridge combined to make it the most prized and most feared long arm of the American Civil War. EXCEPTIONALLY NICE GETTYSBURG SPENCER RIFLE: CUSTER'S 5th AND 6th Weapons at Gettysburg - The Spencer Repeating Rifle I stopped when I read his statement Bufords dismounted cavalry, armed with new six-shot Spencer repeating rifles., scratched my head, and said this cant be! Unfortunately he did not list a reference so I still didnt know where this myth came from until I read this article. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire! Further research with enthusiasts on discussion boards related to Civil War weapons may help. The model 1860 Spencer Navy with bayonets were contracted for $43.00 each. They featured a 20" inch barrel with 6-groove rifling chambered for the .56-50 Spencer cartridge. It is a saddle ring carbine and is definitely an 1860 Spencer carbine! There are no Model 1860 Spencer carbines with such a low serial number. Because gunners had to see their targets, Union cavalrymen carried Sharps and Burnside single-shot very early Spencer rifle & serial number info needed. Spencer Rifles for sale - Guns International On the top of the receiver is the three-line makers stamping SPENCER REPEATING - / RIFLE CO. BOSTON, MASS / PATD MARCH 6, 1860. 5th US This is a great rifle that will be a wonderful addition to your collection. I know this is somewhat off topic, but these are examples of Urban Legends that never seem to go away. Sell your spencer rifle for FREE today on GunsAmerica! The story of Spencer rifle contracts, deliveries, and government payments for purchases is complicated, but laid out by Roy Marcot in his book on Spencers and in an 1997 article in Man at Arms by Wiley Sword, who has established the serial number range for Spencers delivered to the Michigan Cavalry Brigade. Everything for sale on ima-usa.com is completely legal to own, trade, transport and sell within the United States of America. Initial army contracts with the Spencer Company of Boston, Massachusetts called for 10,000 repeating firearms at a cost of $40.00 each. Thanks for the diary entry. Gettysburgfour bronze James guns and two Whitworth rifles. GENERAL JOHN B. FLOYD, LATE GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA AND U.S. SECRETARY OF WAR, TAKEN AFTER THE BATTLE OF FORT DONELSON. By that, I mean the serials on the Model 1865 started at Serial number 1, as did the Burnside contract 1865 Spencers. A handful of rifles were intermixed in the serial number ranges of the carbines, but the large majority of rifles extant exist in these two specific ranges. effect at Gettysburg must have been small for one was out of action much THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE. I will forward your message to him as well as to our museum staff to see if they can help you. Spencer repeating rifles were used in limited quantity by Union cavalry on July 3 and by a few Union infantry. The rifles were produced in to fairly specific serial number ranges, with the early order being found in the 700 to 11,000 range and a later order found mostly in the 22,000 to 24,000 range. Patd March, 1860 serial number is 1746 Lloyd. reported to have had exceptional range and accuracy. The Fifth came up a gallop, dismounted close to us and went down to the River on the run. I am trying to verify if this might be true. Marcot posited a lower starting number, 1000, which would get up to 1500. Copeland had campaigned vigorously for the repeating rifle to arm his men and received the first rifles shipped. charges were also made in the classic fashion, particularly in the great By the summer of 1863, production of the Spencer Rifle was stepping up. Barrel is 22-1/2 inches. It is easy to tell them apart for the Parrott has a $5,500.00 MODEL 1861 SPRINGFIELD RIFLE MUSKET, DATED 1862 This is a Model 1861, .58 caliber, percussion rifle musket in good condition. All gun metal exhibits light use and wear and scattered light pitting. Designed and created by Christopher Spencer in 1860, the Spencer repeating rifle is a lever-action design. They were $1,450.00 - New OTHER MODEL .45 COLT CHIAPPA FIREARMS 1860 SPENCER CARBINE RIFLE LC COLOR CASE FINISH NEW 920-084 20 INCH " BARREL 920.084. Learn More , Sept. 16 - 17: 2023 MAC Show, York Expo Center, York, PA Learn More , VERY ATTRACTIVE DOUBLE CASED SIXTH-PLATE AMBROTYPES OF CIVILIAN AND CONFEDERATE SOLDIER IN A RARE UNION CASE. ammunition. The butt stock and fore end are in NEAR FINE condition and are solid without any breaks, cracks or repairs. 12th Illinois Burnside carbines Spencers company manufactured over 14,000 rifles and 130,000 carbines by the end of the war. the regiment's slow-firing rifles together under the control of the While the standard cavalry arm of the pre-Civil War era, the single-shot, breech-loading percussion carbine was still in heavy use through the closing days of the war, the era of the repeating metallic cartridge carbine was firmly established by the end of 1863. All cannon could fire solid projectiles or shot. Detail views of the same weapon are shown below. I have a Spencer carbine serial number 2125 and wondered if it was in fact at the Battle of Gettysburg? Thanks, Lloyd. Featuring a rotating block and tubular magazine in the butt, the gun was a snap to use. In the meantime our Artillery had got to work on the other side of the field and everybody had plenty to do., He was wounded at Yellow Tavern May 11 1864 and while riding with the rest of the wounded he observed A Regiment of our dismounted men was trying to force a passage at the ford across the (Chickahominy) River but was driven back.