{"product_id":"original-u-s-civil-war-joslyn-firearms-co-first-model-m1862-saddle-ring-carbine-serial-3404-with-excellent-bore-circa-1863","title":"Original U.S. Civil War Joslyn Firearms Co. First Model M1862 Saddle Ring Carbine Serial 3404 with Excellent Bore - Circa 1863","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only one available. The Joslyn carbine Model 1862, often referred to as the \u003cstrong\u003eFirst Model\u003c\/strong\u003e, was a cavalry weapon that used an innovative pivoting breechblock system invented and patented by Massachusetts gun designer Benjamin Franklin Joslyn in 1855. Under his June 1862 government contract, the Joslyn Fire Arms Company of Stonington, Connecticut, produced his first rimfire model carbine now designated as the Model 1862.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDesigned for field use with Federal horse soldiers, the Joslyn carbine fired a standard Spencer rimfire cartridge of .52 caliber. Joslyn’s unique loading arrangement consisted of lifting up the breechblock tab or hook, pivoting the breechblock to the left and then inserting the round. The hook-type friction latch for the breechblock and its exposed firing pin extension were characteristics of the Model 1862 Joslyn.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall the carbine is in very good service-used condition with all parts intact; the matching serial number \u003cstrong\u003e3404\u003c\/strong\u003e appears on the top of the breech block and on the barrel tang. The wood stock is in very good solid condition for its age and shows expected service wear — scratches, dents, dings and some small gouges; we see two clearly crisp visible inspection cartouches marked “\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eFDL\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e” for inspector Frederick D. Livingston in script (US government inspector). \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe metalwork, originally blued and case-hardened, now presents an overall gray polished patina from years of cleaning, with trace of original bluing in recessed areas. The lock plate bears maker information but is not dated (supporting the earlier c.1863 configuration), which is clear and crisp:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJOSLYN FIRE ARMS Co.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSTONINGTON CONN\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rear of the swiveling breech block retains the three-line patent marking reading:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eB.F. JOSLYN’S PATENT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOCTOBER 8TH 1861\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJUNE 24TH 1862\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe left breech end of the barrel is marked “FDL” for inspector Frederick D. Livingston, and the butt tang remains correctly stamped “L.” \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMechanically the action opens smoothly and locks back into place; the firing pin and original return spring are present and functional, the lock holds at half-cock and fires at full, and the saddle ring bar on the left side is intact with its sliding ring. Most notable is the bore, which is superb — mirror bright with crisp lands and grooves, showing no meaningful fouling or oxidation and possibly the best bore we have seen on a Joslyn carbine. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis well-maintained, historically significant example would make a fine addition to any Civil War or small-arms collection!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003eYear of manufacture c.1862-1863 (early undated lock configuration)\u003cbr\u003eCaliber .52 Spencer\u003cbr\u003eAmmunition type: Rimfire cartridge\u003cbr\u003eBarrel length: 22 inches\u003cbr\u003eOverall length 38 3\/4 inches\u003cbr\u003eAction: rotating breech with manual hammer\u003cbr\u003eFeed system: Breech Loading\u003cbr\u003eSerial number 3404\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistory of the Joslyn Rifle:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1855, Joslyn designed the first of his breech-loading carbines, which had an elongated breech block that reached down to the wrist of the rifle. After successful tests, the U.S. Army ordered 50 of these rifles in 1857 in .54 caliber. The Army quickly lost interest in the rifle, but in 1858 the U.S. Navy ordered 500 of these in .58 caliber. Production problems resulted in only 150 to 200 of these rifles being delivered in 1861.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSubsequently Joslyn designed a modified version in 1861 using a metal rimfire cartridge, as opposed to the paper combustible cartridges used before. More importantly, the model 1961 introduced a laterally hinged block called the \"cap\" which enveloped the standing breech and could be swung open to the left when the locking catch was released. This was a vast improvement over the previous breech design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis design was further refined in 1862 with the addition of cam surfaces which improved the cartridge seating and extraction. The Model 1861 was chambered for the Spencer .56-56 rimfire cartridge, and the improved Model 1862 used the Spencer .56-52 rimfire cartridge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Federal Ordnance Department ordered 860 of these carbines, which were delivered in 1862. Most went to units from Ohio. In 1862, Joslyn received an order for 20,000 carbines. Delivery on these weapons started in 1863, but by the time the Civil War came to an end only about half of these had been delivered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Model 1864 Carbine featured many small improvements and refinements to the Model 1862 design, and could fire either the Spencer .56-52 cartridge or a .54 caliber cartridge made by Joslyn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1865, Joslyn submitted two carbine designs for trial, both based on the Model 1864 carbine. Despite the difficulties between Joslyn and the U.S. Government, an order was placed for 5,000 of these weapons. Springfield Armory produced approximately 3,000 Joslyn rifles before hostilities ended.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter the war ended, the U.S. Government canceled all remaining contracts, claiming that the rifles failed to meet specifications. Litigation related to these contracts persisted for many years after the war ended. Sadly this has resulted in the Joslyn firearms company being known more for their litigation than for the actual firearms they produced.\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":43927541547077,"sku":"ONJR25OCGA060","price":2295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR25OCGA060__1A.jpg?v=1761944827","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-civil-war-joslyn-firearms-co-first-model-m1862-saddle-ring-carbine-serial-3404-with-excellent-bore-circa-1863","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}