Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent Frank Wesson .44 caliber single-shot breech loading rifle in good condition. It is a top-break design that features a 24" octagonal barrel, and this example bears serial number 6822 on the trigger guard. The "Two-Trigger" single shot design had undergone several improvements over the years, and the 1862 patent added the use of a slotted link to stop the barrel from pivoting too far, which made the gun much easier and quicker to load. The original post 1862 design with the link on the right side is usually referred to as the "Type 1", while the slightly later version with the link on the left side and an ejector on the right side is the "Type 2".

There were already other single shot carbines in use, such as the Sharps and Smith Carbines, but these were both "capping breech loaders" that required an additional percussion cap. The Wesson Two Trigger was able to have a higher rate of fire due to this. During the Civil War, Frank Wesson supplied approximately 3,000 of these carbines in .44 long rimfire to B. Kittredge & Company of Cincinnati. Kittredge then supplied 760 to Indiana, 1,366 to Kentucky, and others to Kansas and Missouri. Most were then issued to units from those states.

Others, such as this lovely example of a Type 1 Rifle, were often privately purchased, and then used after the war as sporting rifles. The top of the barrel still bears standard barrel marking, which is fully intact:

This carbine has a blade front sight, with a hinged two leaf rear sight, which looks to be an aftermarket replacement. The butt stock on this example is a very attractive walnut with a great grain, and has a lovely "gunmetal" brass alloy curved butt plate. There is just a bit of denting and wear, and it really looks great.

The two-trigger breech release system functions exactly as it should, only allowing the forward trigger to open in the half cock position, and not at any other time. As it is a Type 1, it does not have an ejector, and the catch on the right side of the barrel that keeps the breech from opening to far is unfortunately missing.

The gun looks to have seen a good amount of use, and the barrel and frame now display a mottled gray patina, with a bit of past peppering in areas. This definitely has the look of a gun that might have been used during the civil war. We checked the bore, and it still shows clear rifling with a partly bright finish, but there definitely is wear, and some areas of past fouling and oxidation. This is particularly evident near the breech, but it is definitely still quite good, probably a 6 out of 10.

A very rare civil war era rifle in great shape, ready to research and display!

Specifications-

Years of Manufacture: circa 1863-76
Caliber: .34 rimfire
Cartridge Type: Rimfire
Barrel Length: 30 Inches
Overall Length: 45 1/2 Inches
Action type: Top Action Hammer Lock.
Feed System: Top Break Single Shot

In July 1862, Brigadier-General J. T. Boyle of Kentucky complained about Gallagher guns, calling them 'worthless'. He stated that 'They 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.' He then requested 'Sharps, Wessons, Ballards, or any other kind of carbine.' He mentioned that Wesson carbines can be had for $25 or less from Cincinnati.

The Wesson carbine was used primarily by the Union armies, as the Confederacy did not manufacture rim fire cartridges. However, in November 1862, the Confederacy did arrange for the smuggling of 10 Wesson rifles, and 5,000 cartridges to Texas, via Cuba. These rifles were smuggled by Harris Hoyt, who was brought to trial in January 1865. The rifles at that time cost $25 each, the cartridges $11 per thousand.

Wesson carbines were in use at battle of Gettysburg in 1863, and at the battle of Westport in 1864.

In January 1863, the state of Ohio had 150 Wesson carbines on hand. At that time, they also had 54,000 Wesson cartridges. The 11th Cavalry regiment was issued 100 Wesson carbines and 400 Spencer repeating rifles. The states of Kentucky and Illinois purchased 2000 for their state militias.

In July 1863, in a letter to Major S.B. Shaw, St. Louis, Mo, T.F. Robinson, Quartermaster-General of Kentucky reported that portions of two Kentucky regiments had been armed with the "Wesson Cartridge Rifle", were pleased with it, and would not exchange it for any other rifle.

Following the Lawrence Massacre on August 21, 1863, the surviving men formed a rifle company, using Wesson rifles. These weapons, along with their revolvers were carried at all times.

Kentucky purchased 1366 Wesson carbines, Indiana purchased 760 for their cavalry, from B. Kittredge & Co., Cincinnati, and the numbers for Ohio, Kansas and Missouri are not known. Individual soldiers of Kansas and Missouri purchased an unknown number of these rifles. Missouri had over 690 in their regimental armories in 1864.

In 1862, the 7th Kentucky Cavalry was issued 500 Wesson carbines at a price of $25 each. In the summer of 1863, individuals from the 11th Regiment, 1st Battalion, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, purchased 200 Wesson rifles. Companies I and L were also issued Wesson rifles by the state. At least 300 individuals from the 5th Missouri State Militia (MSM) Cavalry purchased this weapon during the war, some of which were used during Price's Raid. In that raid, the men of the 5th were placed on specific parts of the battlefield in order to take advantage of their more rapid rate of fire. Troopers from the 3rd MSM also carried Wesson carbines. At that time, the cost of this carbine was $40 each. The 48th Illinois Infantry carried an unknown number of Wesson carbines, and ran out of ammunition for these rifles during the Battle of Ezra Church (part of the Atlanta campaign) on July 28, 1864. During that battle, some regiments expended 100 bullets per soldier. At the Battle of Westport, also during Price's Raid, some men of the 19th Kansas State Militia carried this rifle.

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