{"product_id":"original-u-s-civil-war-joslyn-firearms-co-m1864-saddle-ring-carbine-serial-7209-with-excellent-bore-dated-1864","title":"Original U.S. Civil War Joslyn Firearms Co. M1864 Saddle Ring Carbine Serial 7209 with Excellent Bore - dated 1864","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a real find, and is one of only a small number of Joslyn System firearms that we have had in over 25 years! Benjamin Franklin Joslyn was known as one of the most interesting gun designers during the U.S. Civil War, and he developed a series of breech-loading firearms, which were incremental improvements over each previous design. One of the last of these was the Model 1864 Carbine, which had all of the improvements developed over the years. The most important of these was likely the spring lock for the breech block, which previously had a friction lock with a ball bearing, which could come open.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe example we have is in very good service used condition, with all parts intact, though it definitely has seen a good amount of use and was not properly maintained for time. It bears matching serial number \u003cstrong\u003e7209 \u003c\/strong\u003eon the top of the breech block and barrel tang, the latter of which is a bit hard to read. The wood stock is in good condition, and shows overall wear consistent with long service, with scratches, dents, dings, gouges and other expected wear. We also see some cracking around the breech block area on both sides, a very common place to see these. We cannot see any stock cartouches, which we assume were worn away over the years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe metalwork on these was originally blued and case hardened, however now it shows an overall gray polished patina from years of cleaning to remove light staining. There is a bit more heavy oxidation near the breech area, related to the gasses that would escape from the breech when firing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe carbine is marked on the Lock Plate with the maker information and date, which is still mostly clear:-\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJOSLYN FIRE ARMS Co.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSTONINGTON CONN\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1864\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rear of the swiveling breech block is marked with the three line version of the patent markings:-\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eB.F. JOSLYN’S PATENT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOCTOBER 8TH 1861\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJUNE 24TH 1862\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe left breech end of the barrel is marked with \u003cstrong\u003eFDL\u003c\/strong\u003e, for \u003cem\u003eFrederick D. Livingston\u003c\/em\u003e, a known inspector of Joslyn Carbines during the war. The butt stock is still correctly marked \u003cstrong\u003eUS \u003c\/strong\u003eon the tang.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bore is in excellent condition, showing a bright finish with crisp lands and grooves. There is no real oxidation or fouling present, and it looks to have seen only light use during the war. Possibly the best bore we have ever seen on a Joslyn carbine! The action works correctly, opening smoothly and locking back into place. The firing pin is still present, with an intact and functional return spring, and it is still in the original rimfire configuration. The lock functions correctly, holding at half cock and firing at full. The saddle ring bar on the left side is intact, and still retains the sliding ring.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a lovely patinated example of a rare and historical civil war carbine with a fantastic bore, which would be a great addition to any collection. Really a lovely example!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1864\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: .54\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: Single Shot\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistory of the Joslyn Rifle:\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 1861 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":43154428788805,"sku":"ONJR25JUGCW07","price":1895.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR25JUGCW07__02.jpg?v=1753298283","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-civil-war-joslyn-firearms-co-m1864-saddle-ring-carbine-serial-7209-with-excellent-bore-dated-1864","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}