This Smith carbine has loads of original blue on the barrel, top spring, collar of the receiver, the buttplate, the triggerguard and the triggerguard tang, as well as thin case color on the receiver and hammer. The markings in the metal and wood are crisp. The wood has good edges, good color, and a tight fit. This follows the standard configuration of the second model, eliminating sling swivels on the barrel band and buttstock and using a conventional side bar and sling ring for a cavalry trooper’s carbine sling and has matching serial numbers, 21587, on the two elements of frame hinge. Front and rear sights are in place and complete.

The left barrel flat shows a crisp L.F.R. barrel inspector stamp of Lafayette Rogers at the breech. The left wrist shows the J.H. inspector mark of John Hannis, which also appears in small letters on the buttstock comb near the buttplate tang. The left side of the receiver is marked, “MANUFACTURED BY / MASS. ARMS CO / CHICOPEE FALLS. ” forward, and “ADDRESS / POULTNEY & TRIMBLE / BALTIMORE U.S.A.” at upper rear, with “SMITH’S PATENT / JUNE 23, 1857” partially behind the sling ring bar.

The barrel has full coverage of deep blue, 80 percent or better. The barrel band has shifted toward plum. The top spring shows luminous blue with a little rubbing at the edges. Both receiver and hammer show case colors, slightly muted, but visible, a little rubbed forward but stronger at rear and with strong blue on the wrist collar, triggerguard, triggerguard tang and buttplate, all natural points of wear. The wood to metal fit is tight and the wood shows a crisp “JH” inspector cartouche on the left wrist and small one near the buttplate. The edges are sharp. We see just a few very small handling marks: a shallow ding on the lower right above the end of the triggerguard tang and three small pressure dents back toward the buttplate. There is some very minute chipping near the toe of the buttplate and on the underside at the wrist collar. All screws have good color and intact slots. The mechanics are strong. The bore is bright, with light rifling.

The Smith was among the top four cavalry carbines procured by the U.S. government and saw extensive service in the war. Patented by a New York physician in 1855 (with some additions in 1856 and 1857,) the .50 caliber carbine is hinged in the middle, exposing the breech for insertion of a rubber case or paper and foil cartridge pierced at the bottom for ignition by a standard percussion cap. Poultney and Trimble of Baltimore acted as agents on commission, selling the government some 31,002 from January 1862 to June 1865, with others sold on the commercial market through military goods dealers such at Schuyler, Hartley and Graham. Flayderman lists the 3^rd WV, 7^th and 11^th Illinois, 1^st CT, 7^th and 17^th PA, 6^th and 9^th Ohio, and the 1^st Mass. as among the cavalry regiments carrying it. This one shows very well and would be a nice addition to a cavalry or carbine collection.   [sr] [ph:L]

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