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Tower Pattern 1856 Percussion Cavalry Carbine with History

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:800.00 USD Estimated At:1,600.00 - 2,500.00 USD
Tower Pattern 1856 Percussion Cavalry Carbine with History
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Tower Pattern 1856 Percussion Cavalry Carbine with History

The lock plate is marked with a large crown over "VR" at the rear and marked "1857/TOWER" with a crown proof ahead of the hammer. The breech end of the barrel has several proofs and inspection marks with "N.S/KOH" stamped on the left side under the fixed rear sight. The trigger guard and forend cap are brass. The stock has a saddle ring bar (no ring) mounted on the left side and the right side of the buttstock is stamped with a dual broad arrow and "BA" and a Bombay Arsenal roundel (many British arms were converted to smoothbore at the Bombay Arsenal with this example now having a smooth bore barrel). Sling swivels, two barrel bands and a swivel iron ramrod. According to the notarized statement attesting to the chain of provenance, this carbine was purchased from a descent of Lt. John G. Guignard, Co. E., 27th South Carolina Infantry. Col. William S. Guignard inherited the carbine from his father, Lt. Guignard, and sold the carbine to the consignor in 1962. Lt. John Guignard was in the 1st Battalion, South Carolina Sharpshooters and because he had a degree in engineering from the State of Louisiana, he was later transferred to the Engineer Corps and was in charge of the earthworks and fortifications around Charleston, SC during the Civil War. A prominent family in South Carolina since colonial days, Guignard Park in Cayce was donated to the city by the heirs of Lt. Guignard. Also included with the rifle is a copy of a cabinet photo of Cadet William Guignard in West Point Uniform astride his horse and a copy of his passport and appointment papers used when he was an embassy attache in Paris.

Manufucture: Tower
Model: Percussion
BBL: 21 inch round
Stock: walnut
Guage: 67
Finish: bright
Grips:
Serial Number: NSN

Very good. The carbine has a mottled gray patina with some minor spotting. The stock is very good with a couple hairline cracks, chipping along the ramrod channel, a number of minor pressure dents and a few minor gouges. Mechanically fine. An example of a British model of carbine known to have been exported to the Confederacy which was once owned by a prominent South Carolina family with Civil War ties.