Used in the Smith carbine extensively during the early years of the Civil War, this specimen of carbine ammunition is a very scarce .50 caliber “rubber case” cartridge in excellent original condition. The problem with all Civil War-era breech loaders was the need for ammunition with cases that could expand to seal the breech upon firing yet contract afterwards to be extracted.

Early in the war, ammunition with an India Rubber tube was issued for the Smith carbine to meet this need. Gilbert Smith received patent #17,702 in June of 1857 for this invention. Later, a different type of case was used that employed rolled brass foil and paper.

This artifact is an original example of a scarce, intact Smith carbine “India rubber” cartridge and represents a prime specimen of Civil War ammunition.  [jet][ph:jet]

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