Spencer Repeating Rifle Serial Numbers
Apr 03, 2013 Spencer shotgun 1882 Discussion in 'The. SPENCER GUN COMPANY. There is a serial number-year made table in the reference listing serials numbers.
Spencer repeating carbines were made by Spencer in Boston and some was sub-contracted to Burnside Company in Providence, Rhode Island. One way to tell who manufactured it is the rifling, Spencer used 6 grooves and Burnside used 3 ring. They produced around 144,000 rifles and carbines for the United States government.
Civil War Spencer’s shot a 56-56 cartridge. They are a seven shot repeating rifle that loaded from a magazine tube located in the stock.
The action was similar to a lever action as the trigger guard operated the mechanism by raising and lowering it. Both rifles and carbines had iron mountings with a casehardened receiver, blued barrel and walnut stock. Markings that are located on top of the frame are SPENCER REPEATING/ RIFLE CO. / PAT’D MARCH 6,1860. Standard finish is a casehardened receiver, buttplate and barrel bands with a blued barrel.
Stocks were made from walnut. Carbines have a sling ring bar with a ring on the left side and a rear sling swivel. 50,000 of these were made between 1863 and 1865 with serial numbers from 11,000 to 61,000. Offered is serial number 41756, which fits the civil war period range and was manufactured by Spencer. Most of the metal has a dusky gunmetal gray peppery patina except for the barrel, which is a light plum color. Stock shows normal wear. Bore is bright and the rifling is very strong.
Stampings are crisp and the action is tight. Nice example of an early repeating weapon used in the Civil War. 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. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often 'under' describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are 'mechanically perfect' unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire!