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GWYNN & CAMPBELL TYPE-I CARBINE WITH LONG BASE REAR SIGHT
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$3,250.00
Quantity Available: 1
Item Code: 2026-1299
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This is a very good example of the Gwynn and Campbell Type-I carbine using a rear sight with long base and ladder optimistically graduated to 900 yards, one of 4,200 sold to the US government in 1863. These were manufactured at the Cosmopolitan Arms Company factory owned by Edward Glynn and Abner Campbell, who had produced the “Cosmopolitan” carbine patented by Henry Gross in 1859, which was supplied to the US government specifically for the use of some Illinois cavalry. For a fuller version of the story see Rentschler’s book on the carbines as well as summaries by Flayderman and McAulay. The short version is that Glynn made some improvements to the breech that got him a separate patent and enabled them (Gwynn and Campbell) to cut out Gross in future production.
The carbine is .52 caliber, single-shot, breech loading, using a combustible cartridge detonated by a percussion cap place on the nipple. It is complete and all original. The mechanics and bore are good. The metal is smooth overall, gray with no finish, though the barrel showing a darker tone that is likely from the original blue shifting to plum and fading. The wood has a good surface, color, and tight fit to the metal. The underside of the breechblock, frame and barrel have sharp markings: serial number “2783” along with a separate assembly number, “129.” Rentschler gives their production total as 4,200, the number sold to the government, with 2,000 contracted for in 1862 and delivered in two April 1863 batches, with another 2,200 delivered on an open contract by Dec. 31, 1863. These had a serial number range of 1-4500, overlapping at the upper end with some of the Type-I models with short sight bases- the later Type-II models introducing other changes as well. Given those numbers, ours would likely have been among the Oct. 30, 1863, third delivery, numbering 1,200 carbines.
Markings on the lockplate are good, though showing some rubbing from use. The rear of the lockplate is marked “GWYNN & CAMPBELL” in an arc over “PATENT / 1862 / HAMILTON O.” with the marking rubbed in the middle on the patent date, and near the forward edge vertically “UNION / RIFLE” with “Rifle” rubbed along the bottom. The patent date refers to Gwynn’s patented improvements on the breechblock. The “Union Rifle” marking was a hold-over from the Cosmopolitan production and must have been galling to Gross. We see traces of a cartouche on the left wrist, with the rectangular border with rounded ends clear enough, but the initials rubbed from handling and likely movement of the carbine sling swivel.
The US government purchased some 9342 Cosmopolitan and Gwynn and Campbell carbines of all types. They were widely used and their various models and subtypes, not to mention transitional versions, make them a collecting category of their own, and also key pieces in any Civil War small arms 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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