CIVIL WAR GALLAGER CARBINE

$1,650.00 SOLD

Quantity Available: None

Item Code: G3669

Original breech loading .50 caliber, percussion Gallagher carbine as issued to the Federal cavalry during the Civil War. Mahlon J. Gallagher, a South Carolina native, developed the weapon while he resided in Savannah, Georgia in July 1860. Subsequently the Philadelphia firm of Richardson and Overman obtained the rights to manufacture Gallager’s product via several contracts with the U.S. Ordnance Department. These carbines saw extensive service with the Union cavalry during the war but the weapon was not well liked by the troopers due to the difficulty in extracting the spent cartridge casings from the breech.

The Gallager features a breech loading mechanism which consists of a lever/trigger guard combination that when pushed down, allows the barrel to slide forward and tilt up. A brass cased cartridge was then inserted into the barrel’s breech.  Though Gallager boasted that his design would facilitate the easy removal of the spent casing from the breech, extraction was the major defect of his weapon.

This carbine is iron mounted and exhibits heavy mottling throughout. Weapon bears serial # 13572 and features a 22½” long round barrel that has a folding single leaf rear sight, iron blade front sight and a bore that is clean with very good rifling. The barrel wears a speckled patina due to mottling and light scattered pinprick pitting mostly in the breech area.

Receiver has just the slightest hint of case colors on the left side while the right shows mottling and pitting. Action works properly but is stiff.

All lockplate markings are spotty due to pitting. They are “MANUFACTURED BY / RICHARD & OVERMAN / PHILADA / 13572” in four lines. An additional stamping of “GALLAGER’S PATENT /JULY 17th 1860” rests at the left edge of the lockplate.

The black walnut buttstock has an iron patchbox that opens and closes properly. Iron surface of the patchbox matches the iron on the rest of the weapon in patina. Wood has hints of initials on left side. Overall the wood shows the usual amount of wear from age.  No cartouches or sub-inspector stampings are visible but the lines of the wood are still sharp. Light saddle wear marks can be seen. Left side is fitted with a sling bar and saddle ring.

Triggerguard shows some original finish while the buttplate is turning a plumb brown. Hammer screw may be replaced as it is brighter than the hammer surface. Frame screws show light wear.

This Gallager model carbine is a good representative cavalry weapon of the Civil War.  [AD]

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire!

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