{"product_id":"original-u-s-civil-war-smiths-1857-patent-saddle-ring-carbine-by-american-machine-works-serial-1082","title":"Original U.S. Civil War Smith's 1857 Patent Saddle Ring Carbine by American Machine Works - Serial 1082","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe carbines were built by three companies: Massachusetts Arms Company of Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts; \u003cstrong\u003ethe American Machine Works in Springfield, Massachusetts\u003c\/strong\u003e; or the American Arms Company in Chicopee Falls. The name of the distributor for the manufacturer, \u003cstrong\u003ePoultney \u0026amp; Trimble of Baltimore, Maryland\u003c\/strong\u003e, is often stamped on the carbine's receivers, as is the case with this example.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe markings are still fully present, with the distributor information is marked on the left upper receiver:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eADDRESS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePOULTNEY \u0026amp; TRIMBLE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBALTIMORE. U.S.A.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBelow this, under the saddle ring bar, is the correct patent marking:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSMITH'S PATENT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJUNE. 23. 1857\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo the left of this is the manufacturer marking, written horizontally the saddle ring bar:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMANUFACTURED BY\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAM N. M CH N. WKS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSPRINGFIELD MASS.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe carbine carries a four digit serial number of \u003cstrong\u003e1082\u003c\/strong\u003e stamped on the underside of the barrel hinge on both the receiver and barrel side. There is also a somewhat faint \u003cstrong\u003eL.F.R.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe butt stock is in very condition, having had a very nice lacquer finish applied, and shows a crisp \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJ.H.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e oval cartouche marking on the left side. This is the marking of inspector\u003cem\u003e John Hannis\u003c\/em\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere 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!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: c.1863\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: .50\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCartridge Type: Rubber Cartridge with Percussion Cap\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 21 1\/2 Inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 39 Inches\u003cbr\u003eAction type: Side Action Percussion Lock\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: Single Shot Breech Loading\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\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":40580528898117,"sku":"ONJR23AM06","price":2195.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR23AM06__01.jpg?v=1684963301","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-civil-war-smiths-1857-patent-saddle-ring-carbine-by-american-machine-works-serial-1082","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}