CIVIL WAR MODEL 1863 AMERICAN MACHINE WORKS SMITH CAVALRY CARBINE #8183 IN FINE CONDITION

CIVIL WAR MODEL 1863 AMERICAN MACHINE WORKS SMITH CAVALRY CARBINE #8183 IN FINE CONDITION

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$2,950.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 2026-835

Shipping: Determined by Method & Location of buyer

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Call 717-334-0347,
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This is a very strong condition Civil War cavalry carbine, all original, showing much more than 30 percent original finish, including some strong blues and case colors, sharp markings in both the metal and the wood, good bore and mechanics with minor handling marks to the wood, rating it at least Fine for condition and near excellent. Sights, barrel band, side bar and sling ring, etc., are all in place. The metal is smooth and the wood has a tight fit and good color. The barrel has at least 90 percent coverage of dark blue. Both sights are in place and complete. The barrel band has shifted toward plum, as has the ladder and bar of the rear sight. The breech spring has full coverage of softened, but vibrant blue with just some freckling along the right side and rear point. The receiver is a pleasing caramel brown showing some mottled purples, blues and yellows of case colors showing through on both sides and particularly on the left. The underside of the frame and breech collar show the same pleasing caramel and subdued case colors. The triggerguard and tang show a vibrant blue and the wrist collar shows a stronger, deep blue. The buttplate shows an even plum brown. Screw heads in general show a deep blue with good slots.

The edges of both stocks are good and the fit to the metal is tight. The forestock shows pleasing brown tones, slightly darker toward the front and near the receiver with just a couple small handling marks. The buttstock likewise has a good fit and surface, with a little narrow wear showing along the buttplate on the right, a few scattered handling marks on the left, and scattered small handling marks on the left with some small handling dings on the belly. Please see our photos. The bore and mechanics are good.

Markings in both the metal and wood are crisp. In the metal: serial number “8183” is on the hinge of the loading assembly and on the left barrel flat at the breech is the L.F.R. barrel inspection stamp of La Fayette Rogers. The left receiver is stamped horizontally, at rear and partially under the sling ring bar, “MANUFACTURED BY / AMN. M’CH’N WKS. / SPRINGFIELD, MASS.” At upper right rear, also horizontally, is, “ADDRESS / POULTNEY & TRIMBLE / BALTIMORE U.S.A.” Forward, stamped vertically, partly under the sling bar is “SMITH’S PATENT / JUNE 23, 1857.” This arrangement of markings is seen on Smiths made by the American Machine Works starting at serial #6480. See Spears’s excellent two-part article on Smiths in the ASAC Journal.

Sometimes also known as the “Second Model,” this pattern of Smith Carbine, using the conventional side bar and sling ring for carriage on a carbine sling, was introduced in August 1863, while the carbines were still being made by the Mass. Arms Company. That company continued their production for the next 10,000 or so carbines in partially fulfilling a September 5, 1863, army contract, with American Machine Works supplying components for the last 5,000 of those carbines and then taking over production, restarting serial numbers from #1 and using several different arrangements of markings, producing an estimated 12,200 of these carbines, including some commercial and state purchases.

Patented in 1855 (with some changes in 1856 and 1857,) the Smith .50 caliber carbine is hinged in the middle, exposing the breech for insertion of a rubber-cased 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, making it one of the top four carbines purchased by the government with some others sold on the commercial market through military goods dealers such at Schuyler, Hartley and Graham. 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,) with some 40 cavalry units reportedly supplied in whole or part at some point in the war with Smiths. Flayderman includes particularly the 3rd WV, 7th and 11th Illinois, 1st CT, 7th and 17th PA, 6th and 9th Ohio, and the 1st Mass. as among the cavalry regiments carrying it.

This is a classic Civil War cavalry carbine in a condition that would add to any carbine or cavalry collection.  [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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