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LOT 233
Very Fine U.S. Contract Burnside Rifle Co. Model 1865 Spencer Patent Repeating Carbine - Serial no. 16421, 56-50 cal., 20 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock.
The Burnside Rifle Co. manufactured Spencer carbines in 1865-
66. Spencers continued to be used by the U.S. Army in the American
West after the Civil War during various conflicts with Native American tribes until
they were replaced by the Springfield Trapdoor rifles and carbines. Some of these Burnside Spencer carbines were sold as surplus to France for use during the Franco-
Prussian War and that is likely the case with this example given the 1890s German “crown/V” marks on the barrel and frame at the breech. It otherwise has the standard markings and features of the Burnside Model 1865 Spencers and is equipped with the Stabler cut-off. Many of the U.S. surplus arms sold to the French were never used, but you still very rarely see a Spencer made after the end of the Civil War that has crossed the pond twice and remains in this high level of condition! CONDITION: Very fine with 80% plus original blue finish, 70% original case colors with fading from age, pitted rear sight base, and generally minor storage related wear overall. The wood is also very fine and has distinct cartouches, mild scratches and dents, smooth oiled finish, and general mild wear. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 234
Excellent Civil War American Machine Works Smith Breech Loading Percussion Carbine - Serial no. 8344, 50 cal., 21 5/8 inch part octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. A total of 30,362 Smith carbines were reportedly purchased by the United States government during the Civil War. Smith carbines were considered to be one of the most important Federal Cavalry carbines and were known to be accurate and reliable weapons. Nearly all of the Smith carbines manufactured were issued to Union cavalry units and saw hard use during the Civil War, and somehow this example appears to have remained essentially in “as issued”
condition. It has standard markings and features, “L.F.R” inspection initials on the left
of the breech, “H.D.H.” on the bottom of the forearm, “JH” inspection initials ahead of the buttplate,
and a crisp oval script “JH” inspection cartouche stamped on the left of the wrist. CONDITION: Excellent with 95% plus of the original blue finish and 97% vivid original case colors,
minor loss mainly on the buttplate and barrel band, and some light scratches and storage marks. The wood is also excellent and has
a crisp cartouche, smooth oiled finish, raised grain, and minor scratches and dings. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 5,500 - 7,500
LOT 235 Excellent Providence Tool Co. Peabody Rimfire Saddle Ring Carbine - NSN, 50 RF cal., 20 inch round bbl., blue/ , walnut stock. These were manufactured by the Providence Tool Co. of Providence, Rhode Island, c. 1866-1871. The Peabody carbine 864, but the end of the Civil War terminated Ordnance Department interest in it. Large numbers of Peabody rifles and carbines were sold to Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, Romania, Spain, and France for use in the Franco-Prussian War. Post-war sales of Peabody rifles and carbines in the United States were limited to three state contracts. South Carolina purchased 350 .50 caliber Peabody carbines originally manufactured for a French contract. The carbine has a military blue barrel with block front sight and two-leaf folding rear sight. The barrel band, receiver, breech block, hammer, side plate, lever, and buttplate are color casehardened. A staple-mounted carbine sling ring is mounted at the junction of the left side of the stock and the receiver. The stock and forearm are oil-finished black walnut. The left of the receiver is roll-stamped “PEABODY’S PAT./JULY 22. 1862/MAN’F’D BY/PROVIDENCE TOOL CO./PROV. R.I.” in five lines. Small single block letter sub-inspection marks on most components. An oval “W.C.” Providence Tool Co. inspection mark, stamped on all Peabody carbines manufactured for foreign contracts, on the left of the stock wrist. CONDITION: Excellent, retains 97% original blue finish and 98% vivid original case colors, with sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. Wood is also excellent with attractive original raised grains and rich oil finish, a few light handling marks, a long sliver of absent wood behind the lock, distinct edges and an exceptionally crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent. This exceptional example of a Providence Tool Co. Peabody carbine would make a fine addition to any early martial firearms collection!
casehardened finish was developed and tested in 1
Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750 237