Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely 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 only light use during its life, and has an excellent bore and wood butt stock. 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 look to have suffered some oxidation in the past, but then were tastefully refinished and restored at some point. It looks very close to the original finish, but close examination shows that there is past light pitting in many areas, which as been removed, and the surface refinished. This has resulted in some of the markings becoming a bit faint, caused by the resurfacing prior to refinishing. Fully matching serial number 4449 is clearly stamped on underside of barrel, receiver, breech plug and loading lever. Weapon is stamped with maker's mark on the lock plate, which is clear on the first two lines, however the lower lines are very faint:

The carbine is lightly 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 Wood butt stock is excellent, with a lovely varnished finish and just a few dents and dings. There is a clear "boxed" WHR inspectors cartouche on the left side, most likely for William H. Russell, who inspected arms from 1862-1863.

Mechanically, the action works flawlessly, opening and closing easily, with the lever snapping easily back into the retainer. The lock is fully functional, holding at half cock and firing at full, and the cap nipple cone looks to be original, and is in very good condition. The bore is in excellent barely used condition, showing a bright finish with crisp lands and grooves for the entire length. There is just a bit of past fouling and oxidation in areas, indicating it was lightly used and well cared for.

Overall this Carbine used by the Union Army in the Civil War is in lovely restored condition with a fantastic 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

NOTE: 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.

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.