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CIVIL WAR SMITH CAVALRY CARBINE #7512

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This Smith carbine is complete, all original, rates very good for condition, and has a very good bore and rifling, and fine mechanics, though a little tight. The metal is smooth and the wood has a tight fit and good color. The barrel has about 90 percent coverage of dark blue. Both sights are in place and complete. The barrel band has shifted toward plum. The breech spring has good coverage of a muted blue and the receiver shows a mix of faded mottled case color showing somewhat as a thin caramel brown with some thin blue on the collars to the front and rear. The underside shows similar subdued thin brown with muted blue on the triggerguard bow. The buttplate has an even plum tone. The forestock is very good, with deep brown tones. The buttstock shows a mix of slightly lighter and darker areas, has few light scratches on the right and some short, shallow chipping around the underside of the toe next to the buttplate, but has vary sharp “JH” inspection cartouche of John Hannis on the left.

The serial number “7512” is crisp on the hinge of the loading assembly. The left barrel flat at the breech shows a crisp L.F.R. barrel inspector stamp of La Fayette Rogers. The left receiver is stamped lengthwise, “MANUFACTURED BY / AMN. M’CH’N WKS. / SPRINGFIELD, MASS.” partially under the sling ring bar. At upper right rear is, “ADDRESS / POULTNEY & TRIMBLE / BALTIMORE U.S.A.” Forward, partly under the sling bar is “SMITH’S PATENT / JUNE 23, 1857.” The sling bar and sling ring show some roughness and brown indicating the carbine saw use and the movement of the sling ring has rubbed the left (forward) end of manufacturer’s mark.

The Smith had several manufacturers and duplicate serial numbers make research difficult. Study by arms scholars is ongoing and opinion divided on some topics, but an article by Spears in the ASAC journal postulates the American Machine Works had been supplying components to the Mass Arms Company for some 5,000 carbines that went towards a September 1863 army contract obtained by Poultney, the agent for Smith, and then began producing its own starting about February 1864, and beginning with serial number 1, eventually producing some 12,200 guns, which would place this about midway in the production run, with the markings on this one correctly fitting their carbines in the 6480+ serial number range. He also notes that into mid-1864 at least, carbines were issued almost as quickly as they were produced.

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 some others sold on the commercial market through military goods dealers such at Schuyler, Hartley and Graham, though Spears raises the total manufactured to 34,250, including both the 1861 model (with sling swivels) and 1863 model (made after July 1863, with side bar and sling ring.) McAulay lists some 40 cavalry units supplied with the Smith. Flayderman includes 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 is a classic Civil War cavalry carbine.  [sr][ph:L]

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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