{"product_id":"original-u-s-civil-war-early-gallager-s-1860-patent-saddle-ring-cavalry-carbine-low-serial-3709","title":"Original U.S. Civil War Early Gallager’s 1860 Patent Saddle Ring Cavalry Carbine - Low Serial 3709","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. The U.S. Civil war, aside from being one of the bloodiest eras in U.S. history, was also an era of great invention, as many innovations in mechanical design took place. One of these was the \"Capping Breech Loader\", an ignition design involving using a percussion cap or primer tape to ignite a self-contained cartridge. The Sharps system is probably the most well known of these, but there were many others. As with any new invention, there were some types that were well-received, and some that were not.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Gallager Carbine is definitely one of the latter, as while well-designed, their actual use proved to be quite problematic. The cartridges could be unreliable, and often got stuck in the barrel. Only 17,782 were made, and due to their unreliability most were disposed of, so they are quite rare. This fine example is only the sixth that we have ever seen, and is definitely the earliest, with very low serial number \u003cstrong\u003e3709\u003c\/strong\u003e. It has the early lock plate markings, which are still somewhat clear, and do not mention the actual manufacturer as later markings did:-\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGALLAGER\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePATENTED JULY 17TH 1860\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e3709\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost of the other examples we have had indicated manufacture by Richardson \u0026amp; Overman of Philadelphia, however there is no such marking on this early example. We do not know if this means that these were made by Gallager himself, or that earlier examples just had different markings. The two parts of the breech lever mechanism are marked \u003cstrong\u003e333\u003c\/strong\u003e (lever portion) and \u003cstrong\u003e4333\u003c\/strong\u003e on the connector, so we assume these are matching. We do not know if these are assembly numbers, or if the carbine has has parts swapped out over the years, which is definitely a possibility.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eThe carbine is a \"tip up\" design, with the trigger guard lever opening the breech and sliding the barrel forward until the breech tips up. This allows the cartridge to be inserted, after which the breech is closed, and a cap mounted on the nipple to discharge the weapon. This all functions as it should, however problems usually arose when a cartridge was loaded, as there is no extraction mechanism, so it had to be removed by hand. There is a cap \/ patch box on the butt stock, where the spare caps were kept for when needed, as well as an extra nipple cone screwed into the wood, which is not present.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition of the carbine's metalwork is very good considering the age, but definitely shows past oxidation and subsequent cleaning throughout. This has left a peppery patina on most of the metalwork, including the barrel, lock plate, and butt plate. The receiver looks to be made from a slightly different alloy, so it has mellowed to a very nice gray patina. The butt stock is in very good condition as well, with the usual wear from service, but no major cracks or other damage. The patch box opens easily, and the interior is in very good shape.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lock and action function as they should, and the saddle bar and ring on the left side are fully intact. The bore is in very good condition, showing a mostly bright finish with strong lands and grooves. There is some oxidation and fouling in the grooves, and it definitely has seen some level of use, but for a black powder era arm from the Civil War, it definitely is in great shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA very rare civil war era carbine, ready to research and display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: circa 1861-1862\u003cbr\u003eCaliber:  .525\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCartridge Type: Capping Breech Loader\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBarrel Length: 22 Inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 39 Inches\u003cbr\u003eAction type: Top Action Hammer Lock.\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: Top Break Single Shot\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Gallager carbine is an American black powder breechloading rifle produced in the American Civil War. The weapon was designed by Mahlon J. Gallager, who licensed the design to Richardson and Overman of Philadelphia for production. On 31 August 1861 the first weapons were sold to the U.S. Army, eventually reaching a total of 17,782\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Gallager was loaded from the rear with brass cases, which contained the projectile and the propellant. Covered by a disc made of greased felt, the projectile was inserted in the barrel after it was tilted up by a lever, followed by the case, and (like the concurrent muzzleloaders, such as the Springfield) were ignited by percussion cap, which was placed on the bolt face. The brass cases had a paper patch in the base, to prevent powder seepage and still allow the cap to fire the round. The weapon was 0.525 in (13.3 mm) caliber with a 22 in (56 cm) barrel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rifle was strongly made, but unpopular with troops. Frequently, the cases stuck due to expansion of the front part and had to be laboriously removed. In July 1862, Brigadier-General J. T. Boyle of Kentucky complained about Gallagher guns, calling them 'worthless'. He stated that '\u003cem\u003eThey snap often, the cartridge hangs in after firing; difficult to get the exploded cartridges out often with screw-driver; men throw them away and take musket or any other arm. They are unquestionably worthless.\u003c\/em\u003e' He then requested '\u003cem\u003eSharps, Wessons, Ballards, or any other kind of carbine.\u003c\/em\u003e' He mentioned that Wesson carbines can be had for $25 or less from Cincinnati.\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":41242517471301,"sku":"ONJR24MACA003","price":2195.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR24MACA003__01.jpg?v=1712006231","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-civil-war-early-gallager-s-1860-patent-saddle-ring-cavalry-carbine-low-serial-3709","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}