Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely service used example of the rare Type II Gwyn & Campbell Saddle-Ring carbine, also known as the "Grapevine Carbine" due to the snake like curves in the trigger guard lever and long hammer. It looks to have seen a good amount of during its life, and was definitely exposed to the elements during this time. One of some 4,200 carbines produced, the .52 caliber, percussion breech-loading carbine was developed for the Ohio State Cavalry in 1862 by businessmen Edward Gwyn and partner Abner C. Campbell, both of Hamilton, Ohio. The type II is more commonly encountered than the scarce Type I, which had a more "serpentine" shape, an had lock screws that attached from the right side of the lock plate. The U.S. Ordnance Dept. granted over a dozen contracts to Gwyn & Campbell for a total of 8,202 carbines of both types. A number of Federal cavalry units were armed with the G & C carbine and included the 3rd Wisconsin; 2nd and 3rd Iowa; 2nd & 3rd Arkansas; 5th and 8th Ohio; 5th, 6th and 16th Illinois along with other Civil War units.

The carbine is a single shot, falling-block action "capping breechloader" piece mated to a 19" round barrel that has a 3 1/2" long octagonal section at the breech. The hammer has a flat back with a beveled edge and a lever that is long and serpentine in shape. The lever locks into a short claw-like spur inside the bottom loop of the lever, which must be pushed back to unlock the lever.

This specimen exhibits all iron mountings, which have suffered some oxidation in the past, now cleaned away. We do not see any signs of refinishing, just cleaning to remove peppering and oxidation, so fortunately the markings are still well retained. Fully matching serial number 4302 is stamped on underside of barrel (faint), receiver, breech plug and loading lever. We also noted the number 94 stamped on the barrel and receiver right next to the serial numbers, as well as on the left side of the operating lever. Weapon is stamped with maker's mark on the lock plate, which is still fully legible, with just a bit of wear:-

The carbine is stamped stamped UNION / RIFLE on the side of the frame beneath the nipple area. The other side of the action has an intact ring bar with saddle ring, for use with cavalry troops. The butt stock is in very good condition, showing a lovely red brown color, with some staining close to the receiver and butt plate from oxidation. We did notice some some gouges and cracking near the receiver, as well as some chipping on the left side. We were not able to see any inspection cartouches on the wood, which looks to have been given a very nice waxed finish at some point, which is very well retained.

Mechanically, the action works very well, opening and closing easily, with the lever snapping easily back into the retainer. It does not lock very securely, as the trigger spring screw gets in the way of the lever seating all the way down. The lock is fully functional, holding at half cock and firing at full, with a strong mainspring, and the cap nipple is a period replacement, which shows little wear. The bore is in very good condition, showing a partly bright finish with strong lands and grooves visible in the three groove rifling. There is some past oxidation and fouling near the breech end, as well as near the muzzle, but overall this is a great bore for a Civil War era black powder capping breech loader.

Overall this Carbine used by the Union Army in the Civil War is in lovely service used condition with a very nice bore, and is fully ready to display. A rare Civil War Carbine, most unusual to find today, with some great research potential.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: c.1862-3
Caliber: .52"
Cartridge Type: Percussion Cap and Paper Cartridge
Barrel Length: 20 Inches
Overall Length: 39 Inches
Action type: Falling-Block with Side-Action Lock
Feed System: Single Shot

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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.

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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.