Presented here, in good condition, is a seldom seen Gibbs Model .52 caliber, percussion, breechloading carbine of the Civil War. Designed and produced by William F. Brooks of New York City in 1863, the total quantity made was only 1,052 carbines. The production of these Gibbs carbines was cut short when his Phenix Armory was destroyed by fire during the infamous New York City Draft Riots of 1863. The US Ordnance Department had contracted for 10,000 carbines but only 1,052 pieces were completed and 500 of the Gibbs were issued to members of the 10th Missouri Cavalry Regiment (US). The remaining carbines were issued to the 13th and 16^th New York cavalry regiments.

This original specimen measures almost 39” long overall with a 22” round barrel. When the operating lever is activated, the barrel slides forward and upwards to load a round.

Barrel wears a mostly semi-bright patina with some light mottling and dark oxidation spots. It is mated to a ¾ length, black walnut stock and secured with an iron band / nose cap mount. Barrel’s six-groove rifling is still sharp and the bore is very clean. A folding two-leaf rear sight rests on top of the barrel forward of breech. Left side of barrel near breech has “B” stamp.

Iron lockplate looks to have been cleaned. It is plain save for the strong stamping “WM F. BROOKS / MANFr NEW YORK” located just forward of the nipple bolster. This type of lock marking lacks the eagle found on later production weapons making this one an early example. Bolster still retains the original nipple. Hammer and breech have hints of case colors only. Hammer operates properly but does wiggle some. Breech action is good. Top of breech next to the nipple is legibly stamped “L.H. GIBBS / PAT’D /JANY8. 1856.”

Never cleaned, the black walnut stock exhibits numerous small dings, dents and scratches. There is a thin glued crack approx. 1” long at the forward end of the mortise for the loading lever. This is nothing serious. There is also a tiny chip at the end of the breech tang. Overall surface of the stock appears very smooth as if there was much handling over the years. The top of the comb near the buttplate tang has a shield shaped light piece of wood that looks like an attempt at inlay work. No government cartouches are visible but the dark iron buttplate has “US” on tang. A short, 2½” long sling bar and saddle ring is fitted to a sideplate on the left side of the breech frame. Side plate is same length as the lockplate. Some screws show wear.

This seldom seen Gibbs carbine is a rare representative cavalry arm of the Civil War and would definitely enhance any military carbine display or collection.  [ad]

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