This is a very nice Smith Breechloading Carbine from the American Civil War. Smiths were made from 1861-65 by three contractors, this one being manufactured by the Mass Arms Company of Chicopee, Massachusetts. It's martially marked with two nice clear cartouches visible on the stock. I don't believe this one has ever been fired...the breech area is so clean with no signs of corrosion. It even has the original case color hardening on the face of the breech and the bore is mirror bright. Finish-wise, the case colors on the outside of the frame are bright on the left side from being protected by the saddle bar and more faded on the right side and the top. I'd say it has 50% decent case colors and about 50% faded colors overall. The barrel and the spacer between the frame and the stock both retain about 95% original blue with the trigger guard flaked to a bout 35% original blue. There is even some faded case colors on the buttplate but mostly silvered out. Several of the screws still exhibit portions of their original fire blue. Action works perfectly and the giant spring which locks the barrel to the frame still snaps with a resounding "clank" and holds tight. Original sights. The original black American walnut stocks are completely untouched. They have a few light handling marks on the forewood...it could have been issued briefly at the end of the war but it's Fine+ to Excellent. There is even a few hints of tiger strips on the buttstock here and there with beautiful tight quartersawn grain. Overall, I'd grade this carbine as NRA Antique Fine Plus and not far from Excellent; an impressive level of condition for a 160 year old Cavalry Carbine. There were well over a dozen breechloaders purchased by the Union during the Civil War which were mainly issued to cavalry units. Just to name a few, there were the Sharps, Spencer, Merrill, Gallager, Maynard, Palmer, Josyln, Burnside, etc, etc. The Smith carbine actually got pretty good reviews by the units it was issued to which could not be said for many others. This one has a great untouched look to it and it's modestly priced.
Item# i567
$2,795
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