3101

Smith's Patent Breech Loading Civil War Carbine

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:900.00 USD Estimated At:2,250.00 - 3,250.00 USD
Smith's Patent Breech Loading Civil War Carbine
Designed by Gilbert Smith, the production of this breech loading percussion carbine was almost entirely consumed by government contracts, with limited numbers going to the civilian market. Dovetail blade front sight and folding leaf rear sight absent of yard markings. Breech loading action with barrel release latch inside the trigger guard, freeing the barrel to pivot downward. Standard markings on the left side of the frame, "MANUFACTURED BY / AM'N M'CH'N. WKS / SPRINGFIELD MASS", agents' names "ADDRESS / POULTNEY & TRIMBLE / BALTIMORE U.S.A." and "SMITH'S PATENT / JUNE 23, 1857". Casehardened hammer and action with a saddle ring and bar mounted on the left side of the frame with a smooth forearm and straight grip walnut stock with a steel buttplate. The left rear barrel flat has the U.S. Government inspector's initials ("LFR") with a "JH" oval script cartouche on the left side of the stock wrist.
BBL: 21 5/8 inch part octagon
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 50 percussion
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: 10953
Condition: Very fine. The barrel retains 50% original blue finish (mostly near the breech) with the balance a mottled gray patina with some minor spotting. The barrel latch retains 90% original high polished blue finish with some minor spotting. The frame and hammer retain 70% original case colors, otherwise aged to a brown patina. The wood is excellent with the exception of some minor dings and scratches (mostly on the buttstock) with a minor gash on the underside of the forearm. The cartouche is clear.