Spencer Carbine ID Needed
Spencer carbine repeater. Serial number 13096. There is a number on the but end of the stock, 326 and the cartouche is JCA or LCA, in script. The mark is fairly faint. What do these markings mean? Is this a Burnside gun?
Please help further identify this rifle.
Please help further identify this rifle.
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The inspectors marking looks to be "LCA" to me. This was Lucian C. Allin, a U.S. government inspector based in New England.
The manufacturer of the carbine should be marked visibly on the top of the receiver. From it's appearance in your photos it has been refinished, so that the manufacturers markings might not be visible?
The number on the butt stock is likely to be a "rack" or inventory number. Put on years after it was manufactured, very likely untraceable at this late date?
EDIT #1, From the photo of the top of the receiver. I believe it to be a Model 1865, made by Burnside. The markings are difficult to see and not clear. Because of this I believe it to be refinished. Since these were made after the end of the Civil War, they don't command the values of the war time Spencers. I would grade it out as "Good", using Flayderman's criteria.0 -
If it is not maker marked, It could be a Belgian copy. Look for foreign proof marks. 0 -
That's a nice looking Spencer. Are there any markings like this on the top of the breech? 0 -
Here are the markings:
Model 1863
Says burnside too0 -
quote:Originally posted by austinsguns
Here are the markings:
Model 1863
Says burnside too
It's Model 1865. And as others have noted it's been reblued.
Johnny0 -
What looks reblued about it? I figured it had about the right patina. 0 -
I'm not convinced it has been refinished. It could just be the lighting. The wood is still proud with a clear inspector's cartouche. The finish looks old and the markings are worn where they usually are from riding in a scabbard. Look at the pic I posed with wear in the same area. More pics may be needed.
To me, it looks like a nice example and I'd love to own it.0 -
A few more questions...
When exactly was it made?
I see 3-groove rifling, Ive heard that affects value?
What does the "326" mean?
And can someone tell me more on Lucian C. Allin?0 -
quote:Originally posted by austinsguns
A few more questions...
When exactly was it made?
I see 3-groove rifling, Ive heard that affects value?
What does the "326" mean?
And can someone tell me more on Lucian C. Allin?
There are no records showing manufacture dates but you MIGHT be able to find out what unit it was issued to through the Springfield Research Service. They have extensive military firearms records, including Spencers. You must be a subscriber for $35 per year.
http://usmartialarmscollector.com/services/
I couldn't find anything about Lucian Allin but I wouldn't be surprised if he was related to Erskine Allin, inventor of the Springfield "Trapdoor" system.
The 326 was probably a rack number.0
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