Suggest you speak with Mike Pratt at Heidelberg College.  A number of early Spencer cartridges were recovered at the Buffington Island battlefield in SE Ohio.

http://www.heidelberg.edu/buffington/

These are perhaps among the earliest battlefield recoveries of Spencer brass since the battle took place in the summer of 1863. The Spencers were just recently supplied to the Michigan troops who used them against John Hunt Morgan at Buffington Island.  

Should be some Spencer brass from Gettysburg as well.  Unfortunately, the brass cartridge does not survive as well in the Midwest or Mid-Atlantic climate/environments as they do out west.  But you may be able to get some data from better specimen.

Hope this helps some.

Regards, 

Rich Green
Historic Archaeological Research
4338 Hadley Court
West Lafayette, IN 47906
Office:  (765) 464-8735
Mobile: (765) 427-4082
www.har-indy.com

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: ACR Consultants, Inc. 
  To: [log in to unmask] 
  Sent: Monday, November 21, 2005 11:17 AM
  Subject: Spencer Cartridge Case Analyses


  Hello-

  I am in the process of analyzing manufacturing tool marks, firing pin impressions, and extractor marks on 130 Spencer cartridge cases recovered from an 1866 battlefield.  I would like to compare our findings with analyses of 56/56, 56/50, and especially 56/52 Spencer cartridge cases found at other 19th century historic sites (excluding the Little Bighorn Battlefield).  Does anyone have information on such studies?

  Kevin O'Dell
  Principal Investigator
  ACR Consultants, Inc.
  806 Avoca, Suite 2
  Sheridan, Wyoming 82801
  phone: 307-673-5966
  fax: 307-673-4908
  [log in to unmask]