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LOT 282
Exceptional Civil War U.S. Burnside Breech Loading Percussion Saddle Ring Carbine - Serial no. 161, 54 cal., 21 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. These “Fifth Model” Burnside carbines represent the completion of the evolution of General
Ambrose Burnside’s ingenious carbine design. Unfortunately for Burnside, he profited little, if at all, from his well-known design because
he sold his shares before the company received sizable government contracts. The outbreak
of the Civil War led to the purchase of over 50,000 Burnside carbines. They were the third most purchased breech loading
carbine during the war, after only the Sharps and the Spencer. Matching serial number “161” marked on the frame, breech block and bottom of the barrel. Two crisp boxed script “JKL” and “GC” inspection cartouches stamped on the left wrist of the stock
and small “W.W” inspection initials on bottom of the forearm and “G.C” ahead of the buttplate tang. A circle is carved in the left of the wrist.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 95% plus original blue finish on the barrel with some scattered light freckling, 90% plus vibrant original case colors on the frame, hammer, lever latch and buttplate, 99% bright original
niter blue finish on the breech block, 97% plus bright original niter blue finish on the lever and upper tang, and 85% plus original niter blue finish on the lower tang. Besides the crude period circular carving in the wrist,
the wood is otherwise also excellent with attractive original raised grains, some scattered light dents and handling marks, a minor chip on the left edge of the forearm, distinct edges, and exceptionally crisp cartouches. Mechanically excellent. This excellent Civil War Burnside carbine appears to have seen little, if any, use at all and would make an excellent addition to any U.S. martial collection! Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 283
Excellent U.S. Civil War Gwyn & Campbell Type II “Union Rifle” Breech Loading Percussion Saddle Ring Carbine - Serial no. 3409, 52 cal., 20 inch part octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. These carbines were manufactured by Edward Gwyn and Abner C. Campbell in Ohio and are essentially updated versions of their prior Cosmopolitan carbines. Gwyn & Campbell manufactured around 8,200 of the Type I and Type II carbines in 1863
and 1864. They were issued in fairly large numbers to Union cavalry units operating in
the Western Theater during the Civil War, including the 8th Iowa Cavalry, which received 2,007 Gwyn
& Campbells in total and was mustered into service in Davenport, Iowa, just across the river from Rock Island Auction Company. This example has the standard Type II markings and features. Equipped with a pinched blade
front sight, ladder rear sight graduated to 600 yards with a 700 yard notch, boxed script “WHR” inspection cartouche stamped on
the left of the stock wrist and “W.H.R” inspection initials stamped ahead of the buttplate.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 90% original blue finish on the barrel with some areas thinning to a smooth brown patina, 90% plus vivid original case colors remain on the frame, lock, hammer and lever, 80% plus fiery original niter blue finish on the breech block and upper tang, and 20% original niter blue finish on the buttplate with smooth brown patina on the balance. The stock is also excellent with defined edges, some light handling marks, and exceptionally crisp stampings. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 284
Scarce Civil War U.S. Contract E.G. Lamson & Co. Ball Patent Repeating Saddle Ring Carbine - NSN, 50 RF cal., 22 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. A reported 1,002 Ball carbines were manufactured on contract starting in 1864 and delivered after the end of the Civil War. The Ball carbine uses a seven-shot tubular magazine similar to the Henry and later Winchesters. Of interesting note, Winchester and Smith & Wesson both purchased E.G. Lamson & Co.’s machinery after the war. Fixed blade front and folding ladder rear sight, cleaning rod on the right side of the forearm, “E.G. LAMSON & CO./WINDSOR. VT./U.S./BALLS PATENT./ JUNE.23.1863./MAR. 15” (1864 date at the end is removed by the magazine cutoff switch) marked on the left of the
receiver, saddle ring and bar mounted on the left of the receiver, smooth two-band forearm and straight grip stock fitted with a steel crescent buttplate. Partially stamped “3321” on the left of the barrel at the breech, and “104” stamped in the toe of the buttstock.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 70% original blue finish on the barrel turning to a plum patina, 60% of the original case colors with smooth gray patina on the balance with some scattered mild freckling. The wood is also fine as revarnished, with numerous scattered scratches and handling marks, a crack on the right rear of the forend, a few small hairline cracks ahead of the buttplate, and
defined edges. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750 241