SMITH SADDLE RING CARBINE
.50 Caliber percussion cartridge
Made 1861-65
Single shot break barrel.
21 5/8 inch half octagonal barrel (correct original length).
Made during and for the American civil war. Used by the Union cavalry and issued to the 3rd W.Va., 7th,11thIll., 1st Conn., 7th,17th Penna., 6th,9th Ohio and 1st Mass.
This is an excellent Smith carbine. It is in super condition. The metal edges are all crisp and there is no pitting on the metal. All the markings are excellent too. The Blue has turned black and has about 75-80% plus still left. I am not sure if the gun has been refinished at some point but it shows at least a 100 years of light use to the finish and all the edges and markings are crisp, not any loss to the metal or wear on the marking, no pitting either!
Original sights are also superb and work like new.
The markings on this gun are: Address Poultney & Trimble Balitimore USA / Smith's patent June 23 1857 and Manufactured Am'n Mch'n (American machine) Springfield Mass, under the saddle ring (this is almost always all rubbed of by the saddle ring over time, only a tad rubbed on this one! Inspectors mark LFR is also on the left side of the barrel.
The numbers are all matching on this carbine (Serial number:9202 making it pre-August 1863) on the barrel and breech block but also there is an 02 on the swivel ring making this original to the gun. This is very rare and desirable in the USA as the saddle ring is also original. Very few where made with both the swivel and the saddle rings!!!!!!
The action on this gun is excellent with super break barrel action and hammer action. The gun locks up very well with just a very little left/right movement. Not much but i mention everything on my guns. I noticed that the main screw head is marred that tightens this up so looking at this might sort the lockup out, should be an easy job.
I also noticed that the percussion clean out plug screw is an alum key head type and not a screw head type! Not sure this is original or not. All other screws are excellent.
The bore is also very good on this gun with very strong rifleing, hardly been shot just has a little light 'Patina' in the bore.
The wood on this gun has been rubbed down for sure but not much as there looks to be virtually no loss to the wood and the wood to metal fit is excellent. There has also been a couple of expert repairs (hard to see) to the stock but they are not structural so the gun can be shot no problem.
This gun would make a great shooter, i have heard these shoot great.
This is a really nice carbine in outstanding metal condition. It has a couple of minor things but not much wrong with this one. In fact i can't think this has had any 'battle time' the metal condition is just too good. I would not be surprised if it came from a military outfitters (Schuyler, Hartley & Graham of New York) that sold these guns as private purchases during the Civil war, that would account for the excellent condition, and often does account for super Smith carbines that are found with few to no inspectors marks.
Many thanks for looking, any questions are welcome. |
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