Page 208 - 4094-BOOK2

LOT 1210
Excellent and Scarce Civil War Era E. G. Lamson
& Co. Palmer Bolt Action Saddle Ring Carbine - NSN, 50 RF cal., 20 inch round bbl.,
blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The Palmer carbine holds the distinction of being
the first metallic cartridge bolt action firearm ever adopted by the U.S. Ordnance Department. The bolt does not
contain a firing pin and is simply used to seat the cartridge and seal the breech. It fires with a traditional side lock.
Approximately 1,001 of these carbines were ordered on
contract by the U.S. government late in the Civil War
but were delivered too late to see action. It has small “M.M” (Miles Moulton) inspector
initials on the left of the breech, left stock flat and top of the stock ahead of the buttplate tang, and
a circled script “MM” inspection cartouche on the left stock flat.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 98% original plum blue finish on the barrel and 98% plus vibrant
original case colors. Stock is also excellent with attractive original raised grain and rich oil finish,
distinct edges, a few light handling marks, and an exceptionally crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent.
This excellent example of a scarce Civil War era Palmer carbine, a significant piece in the development of military arms as well as firearms in
general, would make a fine addition to any U.S. Martial collection!
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000
LOT 1211
Excellent U.S. Civil War Gwyn & Campbell Type II Breech Loading
Percussion Saddle Ring Carbine - Serial no. 2616, 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. They were issued in fairly large numbers to
Union cavalry units operating in the Western Theater, 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’s Rock
Island facility. This example has the standard Type
II markings and features. Equipped with the 600
yard ladder rear sight, boxed script “RKW” and
“WHR” inspection cartouches stamped on the left
of the stock wrist and “R.K.W” inspection initials marked ahead of the buttplate.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 95% original blue finish on the barrel with some areas of scattered light
freckling. 80% original niter blue finish remains on the breech block and upper tang, with 60% original niter
blue finish remaining on the buttplate and smooth brown patina on the balance including the rear sight.
90% vivid original case colors remain on the frame, hammer and lever. Stock is also excellent with defined edges,
some light scratches and handling marks, and crisp cartouches. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 1212
Excellent U.S. Civil War American Machine Works Smith Breech Loading Percussion
Saddle Ring Carbine - Serial no. 9920, 50 cal., 21 5/8 inch part octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut
stock. Reportedly, 30,362 Smith carbines were purchased by the U.S. Government throughout the Civil War. Some of these
carbines were issued to the 3rd West Virginia Cavalry, who served as part of George Armstrong Custer’s 3rd Division and played
a pivotal role in the Battle of Moorefield in 1864. This Smith carbine was manufactured by American Machine Works in Springfield, Massachusetts. It utilized a
special .50 caliber percussion cartridge which sealed the break action leading to higher pressure and thus velocity than the bullets fired from muzzle loading weapons.
Blade front and ladder rear sights, with a sling bar and ring mounted on the left of the receiver. Small inspection initials marked
on various components, and oval script “JH” inspection cartouche stamped on the left stock wrist.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 95% plus original blue finish on the barrel, 98% vivid original case colors on the frame, 85% plus original
bright niter blue finish strongest on the breech latch, stock junction and trigger guard/lower tang with the buttplate turned to a smooth
brown patina, and sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. Wood is very fine with attractive original raised grain, a few minor chips at
the toe, some scattered light scratches, defined edges, and an exceptionally crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent. This excellent American
Machine Works Smith carbine would make a fine addition to any Civil War or U.S. martial collection!
Provenance: The Andrew Singer Collection.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
206