{"product_id":"original-excellent-u-s-civil-war-smith-patent-saddle-ring-carbine-by-american-machine-works-serial-8083","title":"Original Excellent U.S. Civil War Smith Patent Saddle Ring Carbine by American Machine Works - Serial 8083","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. The Smith Carbine was a 0.50 caliber breech-loading rifle patented by Gilbert Smith on June 23, 1857 and successfully completed the Military Trials of the late 1850s. It was used by various cavalry units during the American Civil War. It was unique in that it broke apart in the middle for loading, and that it used rubber cartridges which sealed the gases in the breech. The downside was that these cartridges were difficult to remove. It was one of the many \"capping breech loader\" firearms that bridged the gap between percussion and cartridge firearms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe carbines were built by three companies: Massachusetts Arms Company of Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts; \u003cstrong\u003ethe American Machine Works in Springfield, Massachusetts\u003c\/strong\u003e; or the American Arms Company in Chicopee Falls. The name of the distributor for the manufacturer, \u003cstrong\u003ePoultney \u0026amp; Trimble of Baltimore, Maryland\u003c\/strong\u003e, is often stamped on the carbine's receivers, as is the case with this example.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a rare Civil War era example a complete and original Smith's Patent Carbine in really excellent condition, probably the best we have ever seen. There is lots of the original bluing present on the barrel, and even a good amount of the original case hardened finish on the receiver, something we almost never see! We cannot see any rust issues or past pitting, and the stocks on this example are simply beautiful! It is very unlikely that we will see an example this nice again anytime soon!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe markings are still fully present, with the distributor information is marked on the left upper receiver:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eADDRESS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePOULTNEY \u0026amp; TRIMBLE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBALTIMORE. U.S.A.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBelow this, under the saddle ring bar, is the manufacture's abbreviated address marking:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMANUFACTURED BY\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAM N. M CH N. WKS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSPRINGFIELD MASS.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is also the correct \u003cstrong\u003eSMITH'S PATENT \/ JUNE. 23. 1857\u003c\/strong\u003e marking to the left of this vertically under the saddle ring bar. The carbine carries a four digit serial number of \u003cstrong\u003e8083\u003c\/strong\u003e stamped on the underside of the barrel hinge on both the receiver and barrel side. The barrel is marked on the left side of the chamber with \u003cstrong\u003eL.F.R.\u003c\/strong\u003e, for \u003cem\u003eLafayette F. Rogers\u003c\/em\u003e, a known inspector of American Machine Works produced Smith carbines during the Civil war.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMechanically, this carbine is sound with a tight action, strong springs, and all original components (in our opinion). There is minimal fouling and oxidation around the chamber, just some protective grease, which doubtless has helped keep things looking great. The lock functions correctly, holding at half cock and firing at full. The bore is in excellent condition, with a bright finish showing strong lands and grooves. We can even see the original machining marks in many areas, and there is just a bit of peppering and oxidation near the chamber.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe butt stock is in excellent condition, with a crisp \u003cstrong\u003eJH in an oval\u003c\/strong\u003e cartouche marking on the left side, for \u003cem\u003eJohn Hannis\u003c\/em\u003e, another known inspector of American Machine Works produced Smith carbines during the Civil war. It still has the original steel butt stock held securely in place by two screws. The fore stock shows a bit more wear, with some pressure dents and scratches, but no major damage. The saddle ring is still intact, retained by the saddle bar on the right hand side. The barrel is still fitted with a great blade front sight and a folding ladder rear sight, however the slider is missing and the range markings filed away for some reason.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere is an important piece of American firearm history from the time of the American Civil War, and it is available to one person only; the collector enthusiast who appreciates rare and hard to find!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: c.1863\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: .50\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCartridge Type: Rubber Cartridge with Percussion Cap\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 21 1\/2 Inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 39 Inches\u003cbr\u003eAction type: Side Action Percussion Lock\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: Single Shot Breech Loading\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Smith's Patent Carbine, a single shot, breech loading, percussion .50 caliber, was one of the most important Federal Cavalry carbines of the Civil War. Production of these carbines was almost entirely consumed by government contracts. A total of approximately 30,362 Smith Carbines were purchased by the United States during the Civil War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe part octagonal and part round barrel is 21 5\/8 inches long, with blued finish, while the action is case hardened. The barrel is fitted with a blade front sight and a folding ladder rear sight. The \"octagonal\" portion of the barrel is 6 1\/8 inches long and consists of 5 flats over the top 180 degrees of the barrel and a round surface for the lower 180 degrees (the portion under the hand guard). The front 14 inch section of the barrel is round. The butt stock has a steel two-screw curved carbine butt plate. All smith carbines were originally chambered in .50, utilizing a \"Capping Breech Loader\" system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40532992688197,"sku":"ONSV23FMF85","price":2195.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/products\/ONSV23FMF85__01.jpg?v=1678314630","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-excellent-u-s-civil-war-smith-patent-saddle-ring-carbine-by-american-machine-works-serial-8083","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}