1049

Rare Dwight, Chapin & Company Ballards Patent Civil War Carbine

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:900.00 USD Estimated At:1,800.00 - 2,750.00 USD
Rare Dwight, Chapin & Company Ballards Patent Civil War Carbine
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Estimate: $1800 - 2750
Dwight, Chapin & Company of Bridgeport, Connecticut produced only about 115 of these carbines in 1863-1864 with the contract completed by Ball & Williams of Worcester, Mass. in 1864. In October of 1862, New York City dealers Merwin and Bray were successful in acquiring a U.S. Government contract for 1,000 each of larger caliber rifles and carbines. Ball & Williams facilities were operating at full capacity and contracted with Dwight, Chapin & Co. to manufacture the guns. Dwight was a former superintendent of Springfield Armory. The company was unable to meet delivery specifications causing the business to fail after delivery of only 115 units. The Dwight, Chapin & Co markings are on those 115 and this carbine is one of the 115. The carbine uses a split breech falling block type action, operated by a lever, which includes the hammer in the assembly, they are chambered for the larger 56-56 caliber (which in reality is a 52 rimfire) and have a manual ejector which is mounted on the bottom of the forearm directly ahead of the receiver. The left side of the receiver is marked "DWIGHT, CHAPIN & CO (very faint) / BRIDGEPORT, CONN / MERWIN & BRAY / AGT'S. N.Y. / 91" and the right side is marked "BALLARD'S PATENT / NOV 5 1861". The government inspector's mark "D" for E.M. Dustin appears on the top of the barrel at the breech, and on the buttplate tang. There is the assembly number "34" stamped on the bottom of the receiver in the lever slot and on the front of each side of the breechblock. The carbine is equipped with a pinched front sight and single leaf rear sight. Mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a carbine buttplate. There is a sling swivel mounted on the barrel band and on the buttstock.
BBL: 22 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 52 RF
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 91
Condition: Good. The metal surfaces have a smooth mottled brown patina with a few scattered minor dings. The wood is about good with several gouges, moderate dents, scratches and dings. The buttplate screw is absent. Unless noted above, the markings are clear. Mechanically fine. A solid example of a rare U.S. contract Ballard patent carbine produced by Dwight, Chapin & Company.