These short-barrel, large bore, rifled .71 caliber Austrian carbines were imported by both sides North and South during the Civil War. Thousands are known to have been acquired by the Union in 1861. These were generally soon discarded them in favor of a host of US made "state of the art" firearms. However, the Confederates carried them for the duration of the conflict. Examples exist with Confederate field modifications and others with the "IC" stamp of Isaac Curtis the prolific Confederate inspector.

This carbine was altered to percussion ignition from the ineffectual Austrian tube lock system. This was done by cutting off the original breech and screwing in a new breech or bolster piece. Our example still has the original bulbous style hammer which means the conversion work was done in Austria before export. This carbine measures just shy of 30" in overall length, with the barrel measuring 14 1/2 inches. The rifling is sharp and distinct. All the gun's metal is smooth overall with a silver/light gray color. The lock plate is now unmarked because this example was arsenally scrubbed of almost all its markings at the time of conversion before export. The mechanics are strong and crisp. The other iron components are the butt plate, single front barrel band, original (unthreaded) ramrod, and the left side plate which is also the saddle ring bar which has two rings connected to it. The wood stock is beech with a cheek piece on the left butt stock. The wood is unmolested. There is a small chip out behind the barrel tang. This would be a good addition to any Civil War arms or cavalry collection. Mark Twain when he served with the Missouri Home Guards CSA in 1861 carried one of these!  One of the best we have had for overall condition.  [pe][ph:L]

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