{"product_id":"original-u-s-civil-war-gwyn-campbell-type-ii-saddle-ring-union-rifle-carbine-with-excellent-bore-and-stock-serial-no-4449","title":"Original U.S. Civil War Gwyn \u0026 Campbell Type II Saddle-Ring “Union Rifle” Carbine with Excellent Bore and Stock - Serial No. 4449","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely example of the scarce U.S. Civil War Gwyn \u0026amp; Campbell Type II saddle-ring carbine, also known as the “Union Rifle” and commonly nicknamed the “Grapevine Carbine” because of the distinctive curves of its operating lever and long hammer. This example appears to have seen relatively light use and is especially desirable for its fully matching serial numbers, excellent bore, strong mechanical condition, and unusually fine inspector-cartouched walnut stock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe .52-caliber Gwyn \u0026amp; Campbell was a single-shot percussion breech-loading carbine developed for mounted troops and manufactured in Hamilton, Ohio. Approximately 8,200 Type I and Type II carbines were produced under a series of U.S. Government contracts during the Civil War, with roughly 4,200 examples manufactured in the more commonly encountered Type II configuration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGwyn \u0026amp; Campbell carbines were issued to a number of Federal cavalry regiments, including the 3rd Wisconsin, 2nd and 3rd Iowa, 2nd and 3rd Arkansas, 5th and 8th Ohio, and the 5th, 6th, and 16th Illinois, along with other Union cavalry units. No specific unit association has been established for this particular carbine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Type II represented a refinement of the earlier Type I design. The Type I had a more dramatically serpentine operating lever and lock screws entering from the right side of the lock plate. The Type II retained the distinctive curved appearance but used a somewhat simplified arrangement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe operating lever locks into a short claw-shaped catch positioned inside the lower portion of the lever loop. Pressing this catch rearward releases the lever and allows the breech to open for loading.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe carbine has a 20-inch round barrel with an approximately 3 1\/2-inch octagonal section at the breech. It uses a single-shot falling-block action combined with a conventional side-mounted percussion lock. A combustible paper or linen cartridge was inserted through the opened breech, while a percussion cap was placed on the external nipple to ignite the charge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lock plate is marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGWYN \u0026amp; CAMPBELL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePATENT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1862\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHAMILTON, O.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first two lines remain clear, while the lower lines are considerably fainter due to the earlier resurfacing and refinishing of the metal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe side of the receiver beneath the nipple area is lightly marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUNION\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRIFLE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe opposite side retains the original saddle-ring bar and ring, which allowed the carbine to be secured to a cavalry sling while the soldier was mounted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSerial number: \u003cstrong\u003e4449\u003c\/strong\u003e, is clearly stamped on the underside of the barrel, receiver, breech plug, and operating lever. The matching numbers are a particularly desirable feature and indicate that the principal components have remained together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe iron surfaces show evidence of oxidation, peppering, and light pitting that were cleaned and carefully refinished at some point. The restoration was tastefully performed and closely resembles the carbine’s original appearance, although close inspection reveals the earlier pitting and slight softening of some markings caused by resurfacing before the new finish was applied.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe walnut buttstock is in excellent overall condition, with an attractive varnished finish and only a few scattered dents, dings, and handling marks. It is considerably better preserved than the stocks normally encountered on Civil War cavalry carbines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA clear boxed inspector’s cartouche is present on the left side of the stock: \u003cstrong\u003eWHR\u003c\/strong\u003e. This marking is most likely associated with U.S. Ordnance inspector William H. Russell, who inspected military arms during the 1862–1863 period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMechanically, the carbine functions extremely well. The operating lever opens and closes easily and snaps securely into its retaining catch. The percussion lock holds correctly at half-cock and releases properly from full-cock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe percussion nipple appears original and remains in very good condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bore is exceptional for a Civil War cavalry carbine. It retains a bright finish with crisp, clearly defined lands and grooves for its entire length. There are only minor traces of old fouling and oxidation, suggesting that the carbine saw relatively light use and was well cared for during its working life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Gwyn \u0026amp; Campbell is one of the more distinctive Federal cavalry carbines of the Civil War. Its unusual lever, long hammer, exposed percussion lock, falling breech, and prominent saddle ring give it an immediately recognizable appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example’s fully matching numbered components, excellent stock, clear WHR inspector’s cartouche, strong action, and outstanding bore make it considerably more appealing than the heavily worn and mechanically tired examples usually encountered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA very attractive restored example of the scarce Gwyn \u0026amp; Campbell Type II “Union Rifle,” retaining the matching components, excellent stock, strong mechanics, and exceptional bore collectors look for in a desirable U.S. Civil War cavalry carbine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003eManufacturer: Gwyn \u0026amp; Campbell\u003cbr\u003ePlace of Manufacture: Hamilton, Ohio\u003cbr\u003eModel: Type II “Union Rifle” Saddle-Ring Carbine\u003cbr\u003eSerial Number: 4449\u003cbr\u003eYear of Manufacture: Circa 1862–1863\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: .52\u003cbr\u003eAmmunition Type: Combustible Paper or Linen Cartridge with Percussion Cap\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 20\"\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 39\"\u003cbr\u003eAction: Single-Shot Falling-Block with Side-Action Percussion Lock\u003cbr\u003eFurniture: Iron\u003cbr\u003eStock: Walnut\u003cbr\u003eMechanical Condition: Fully Functional\u003cbr\u003eBore Condition: Excellent, Bright with Crisp Lands and Grooves\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\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":44640740671557,"sku":"ONJR25OCGA049","price":2695.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR25OCGA049.jpg?v=1771009786","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-civil-war-gwyn-campbell-type-ii-saddle-ring-union-rifle-carbine-with-excellent-bore-and-stock-serial-no-4449","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}