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CIVIL WAR SMITH CAVALRY CARBINE #10979

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This Smith carbine is complete, all original, rates at least Fine for condition. The barrel shows at least 90 percent deep blue. The barrel band has shifted a bit to plum. The rear sight shows good blue. The long spring shows some luminous blue, mixed with some thin brown freckling. The receiver shows muted case colors on the right and some vivid color on the left, though with the sling bar and ring showing bright metal. The wrist collar shows good blue as do the screw heads. The triggerguard and tang shows some bright blue mixed with a little brown freckling. The buttplate shows some faded mottled case color, mostly thin brown shades. The screw is bright blue. The wood is a pleasing light brown and has a tight fit to the metal. The buttstock shows some light dings and scratches, with one small bit of shallow chipping next to the buttplate on the lower right with a shallow abrasion forward of that and a couple of narrow pressure dents beyond. The mechanics are good. The bore is a bit dusty but shows good rifling. The front sight blade may have been replaced.

The markings are strong throughout. The serial number “10979” 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 wood has two clear inspector cartouches on the left wrist: the “JH” of John Hannis and the script “LFR” of La Fayette Rogers.

American Machine Works had produced components for the Mass Arms Company for about the first 5,000 carbines delivered by Smith agents Poultney and Trimble on a September 1863 Army contract for all the Smith carbines they could supply for twelve months, up to 20,000 guns. During that time American Machine Works itself geared up for production since Poultney and Trimble feared the Mass Arms Company would be distracted by other business and not fulfill the new Army contract, and began delivering its own carbines about February 1864, starting with serial number 1 and eventually producing some 12,200 guns, of which about 10,000 went to the Army to supply Poultney and Trimble’s September 1863 contract, and 2,000 or so were sold on the commercial market.

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 an estimated 31,000 to 34,250 by different estimates from January 1862 to June 1865, with some others sold on the commercial market through military goods dealers such at Schuyler, Hartley and Graham, 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. among the cavalry regiments carrying it.

This is a classic Civil War cavalry carbine in very strong condition.  [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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