Presented here, in very good condition, is a Type II Gwyn & Campbell carbine. One of some 4,000 carbines produced, the .52 caliber, percussion breech-loading Gwyn & Campbell carbine was the invention of businessmen Edward Gwyn and partner Abner C. Campbell, both of Hamilton, Ohio. Sometimes referred to as the ‘Union Carbine’ or ‘Grapevine Carbine’, the Gwyn & Campbell Type 2 is the more commonly encountered type of this weapon. The U.S. Ordnance Department granted over a dozen contracts to Gwyn & Campbell during 1863 and 1864 for a total of 8,202 carbines. A number of Federal cavalry units were armed with this weapon and included the 3^rd Wisconsin; 2^nd and 3^rd Iowa; 2^nd & 3^rd Arkansas; 5^th and 8^th Ohio; 5^th, 6^th and 16^th Illinois along with other Civil War units.

Weapon is a single shot, falling-block action piece mated to a 19” round barrel that has a 3 ½” long octagonal section at the breech. Hammer has a flat back with a beveled edge and a lever that is less curved that the Type 1 model. Lever locks into a small claw-like vertical latch on bottom of the stock. Serial number, 2885, appears on barrel, frame, breech block, and lever.  Weapon is lightly stamped with maker’s mark of “GWYN & CAMPBELL / PATENT / 1862 / HAMILTON, O.” on the lockplate. Stamped “Union Rifle” on right side of frame. All screw heads in fine condition. Folding rear sight sits on the octagonal portion of barrel with blade sight at muzzle. Carbine exhibits strong mechanics. Fitted with a sling bar and sling ring. Bore is clean and bright with good rifling.  All gunmetal is in fine condition. Barrel is an even dark brown while some case colors and bluing remains on breech block and frame.

Two strong inspector cartouches visible on left side of stock near the frame. Wood stock excellent and appears untouched with just very few light dings from use and storage. An inspector’s initials are stamped on the top of the comb near the butt plate. This Gwyn & Campbell carbine is a very interesting representative cavalry arm of the Civil War and would definitely enhance any military carbine display or collection.   [jet]

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