Original Item: Only One Available. This is an exceptionally interesting East India Company era percussion cavalry carbine specifically marked to the XIITH BENGAL IRREGULAR CAVALRY and retailed by Garden of 200 Piccadilly, London. This distinctive pattern is illustrated in David Harding's Smallarms of the East India Company, Volume 2, page 507, and was associated with the arms acquired for the 12th Bengal Irregular Cavalry during the early 1850s. Particularly desirable features include the white metal furniture, captured swivel ramrod, saddle ring and bar, approximately .65 caliber bore, twist steel barrel, and explicit regimental lock marking. This example was recovered as part of our 2003 Nepal cache acquisition, giving it an additional layer of provenance extending beyond its already fascinating East India Company service history.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The irregular cavalry regiments of the Bengal Army operated under a system quite different from that of standard British cavalry. Their mounted troops supplied much of their own equipment, while officers and regimental authorities obtained suitable arms through the commercial British gun trade. Garden of Piccadilly became particularly associated with arms supplied for Indian cavalry service, and surviving Garden marked carbines and pistols are known with specific Bengal Irregular Cavalry unit markings.

This carbine carries the correct Garden retailer marking along the top of its twist steel barrel:

GARDEN, 200, PICCADILLY-LONDON

Garden was a prominent London military outfitter and arms retailer. Hugh Garden traded from 200 Piccadilly and was succeeded in the business by his son Robert Spring Garden, with the firm supplying firearms, swords, saddlery, and other military equipment during the mid 19th century.

Rather than carrying a maker's name, the lock plate is prominently marked to the regiment:

XIITH BENGAL
IRREGULAR
CAVALRY

This explicit unit marking is one of the most desirable features of the carbine and leaves little doubt as to the organization for which it was supplied.

According to David Harding's research, this pattern was obtained for the 12th Bengal Irregular Cavalry during the early 1850s. Surviving examples associated with the regiment are particularly distinctive for their white metal furniture, contrasting with the brass mounts encountered on some comparable Garden supplied cavalry arms.

The carbine measures approximately 37" overall and is fitted with a 21" barrel. The smooth bore measures approximately 0.65".

Remnants of the original proof marks remain visible on the left side of the barrel breech. Immediately forward of the percussion bolster is a faint:

H & S

marking. We have not positively identified its significance and therefore leave it unattributed.

The carbine retains its correct captured or swivel mounted ramrod beneath the barrel, an especially practical cavalry feature. The arrangement prevented the ramrod from being dropped or lost while the trooper was loading from horseback.

The left side of the stock is fitted with the original saddle bar and sliding ring. This allowed the carbine to be attached to the mounted trooper's carbine sling so that, if released, the weapon remained suspended rather than falling to the ground.

Both conventional sling swivels are also still present in addition to the saddle ring and bar.

The white metal furniture has developed a particularly attractive aged surface. The trigger guard and associated fittings have the appearance generally described on surviving examples as German silver or nickel alloy. The butt plate has a somewhat warmer tone and may possibly be brass rather than the same alloy, so we have not attempted to identify its composition definitively.

The exterior metalwork has a very pleasing service aged patina, with scattered areas of old peppering that have subsequently been cleaned. We do not see evidence of major deep rusting or destructive corrosion. The carbine has also received sympathetic restoration and cleaning during its long history, leaving it with an attractive and highly displayable appearance.

The percussion lock remains mechanically strong during manual inspection. It holds at full cock and releases correctly. There is, however, an important issue at the half cock position: unusually heavy pressure on the trigger can cause the hammer to release from half cock. The half cock notch therefore should not be regarded as a secure safety position.

The stock is in very good condition and has developed an attractive light brown color with particularly pleasing grain. It shows the dents, dings, scratches, and handling wear expected from a cavalry arm that experienced long service, but we do not observe major structural cracks or other significant damage.

This carbine was recovered as part of our major Nepalese cache acquisition in 2003. The 12th Bengal Irregular Cavalry itself mutinied at Sugauli during the uprising of 1857 and was subsequently disbanded. The regiment's station lay close to the Nepal frontier, and Nepalese forces were deeply involved in military operations in the region during the uprising. While this broader history provides a plausible context for arms of the regiment eventually reaching Nepal, we do not have documentation tracing this individual carbine from the regiment into Nepal and therefore do not claim a specific route of capture or transfer.

With its bold XIITH BENGAL IRREGULAR CAVALRY lock marking, GARDEN, 200, PICCADILLY-LONDON barrel signature, distinctive white metal furniture, captured cavalry ramrod, surviving saddle ring and bar, attractive stock, and documented recovery from the Nepal cache, this is an unusually evocative East India Company cavalry arm. The combination of a specifically identified regiment and a surviving pattern recognized in major East India Company arms references makes it especially desirable for a collection of Anglo-Indian firearms, Bengal Army cavalry equipment, East India Company arms, or weapons associated with the upheaval of 1857.

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: circa 1851
Caliber: .65 inches 
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder with Percussion Cap
Barrel Length: 21 inches
Overall Length: 37 inches
Action: Side Action Percussion
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

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IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.