Original Item: Only One Available. The Smith Carbine was a 0.50 caliber breech-loading rifle patented by Gilbert Smith on June 23, 1857 and successfully completed the Military Trials of the late 1850s. It was used by various cavalry units during the American Civil War. It was unique in that it broke apart in the middle for loading, and that it used rubber cartridges which sealed the gases in the breech. The downside was that these cartridges were difficult to remove. It was one of the many "capping breech loader" firearms that bridged the gap between percussion and cartridge firearms.

The carbines were built by three companies: Massachusetts Arms Company of Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts; the American Machine Works in Springfield, Massachusetts; or the American Arms Company in Chicopee Falls. The name of the distributor for the manufacturer, Poultney & Trimble of Baltimore, Maryland, is often stamped on the carbine's receivers, as is the case with this example.

This is a rare Civil War era example a complete and original Smith's Patent Carbine in very nice lightly used condition The case hardening has worn away on the receiver, as often seen, and there are some areas of light peppering near the breech joint. This looks like a gun that saw moderate service during the war, and was then retired once the ammunition became unavailable.

The markings are still fully present, with the distributor information is marked on the left upper receiver:

Below this, under the saddle ring bar, is the correct patent marking:

To the left of this is the manufacturer marking, written horizontally the saddle ring bar:

The carbine carries a four digit serial number of 1082 stamped on the underside of the barrel hinge on both the receiver and barrel side. There is also a somewhat faint L.F.R. inspector cartouche on the left side of the barrel chamber, for sub-inspector La Fayette Rogers, a known inspector of these carbines. Mechanically, this carbine is sound with a good action, strong springs, and all original components (in our opinion). There is some fouling and wear around the chamber, and the barrel hinge also has a bit of wobble. The lock functions correctly, holding at half cock and firing at full. The bore is in very good condition, still showing strong lands and grooves with a mostly bright finish. There is however definitely some fouling and oxidation in the grooves, especially towards the edges.

The butt stock is in very condition, having had a very nice lacquer finish applied, and shows a crisp J.H. oval cartouche marking on the left side. This is the marking of inspector John Hannis, who inspected many different types of firearms during the period. It still has the original steel butt plate held securely in place by two screws. The fore stock shows a bit more wear, with some pressure dents and scratches, but no major damage, and it has also been lacquered. The saddle ring is still intact, retained by the saddle bar on the right hand side, which is slightly bent. The barrel is still fitted with a great blade front sight and a folding ladder rear sight with an intact slider, which is a bit stiff.

Here is an important piece of American firearm history from the time of the American Civil War, and it is available to one person only; the collector enthusiast who appreciates rare and hard to find!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: c.1863
Caliber: .50"
Cartridge Type: Rubber Cartridge with Percussion Cap
Barrel Length: 21 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 39 Inches
Action type: Side Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Single Shot Breech Loading

The Smith's Patent Carbine, a single shot, breech loading, percussion .50 caliber, was one of the most important Federal Cavalry carbines of the Civil War. Production of these carbines was almost entirely consumed by government contracts. A total of approximately 30,362 Smith Carbines were purchased by the United States during the Civil War.

The part octagonal and part round barrel is 21 5/8 inches long, with blued finish, while the action is case hardened. The barrel is fitted with a blade front sight and a folding ladder rear sight. The "octagonal" portion of the barrel is 6 1/8 inches long and consists of 5 flats over the top 180 degrees of the barrel and a round surface for the lower 180 degrees (the portion under the hand guard). The front 14 inch section of the barrel is round. The butt stock has a steel two-screw curved carbine butt plate. All smith carbines were originally chambered in .50, utilizing a "Capping Breech Loader" system.

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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.

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.