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LOT 250
Excellent U.S. Civil War American Machine
Works Smith Breech Loading Percussion Saddle Ring Carbine - Serial no. 6230, 50 cal.,
21 5/8 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Over 30,000 Smith carbines were
manufactured by American Machine Works and Massachusetts Arms Co. during the Civil War between
1861-1865, with nearly all of them purchased by the U.S. Government, per “Flayderman’s Guide” (9th Edition, 9B-085). 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, and an oval script “JH”
inspection cartouche stamped on the left stock wrist.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 97% plus original blue finish on the barrel, 95% plus vivid original case colors on the frame, 90% plus original bright niter blue finish, and sharp markings and edges
in the metal overall. Wood is also excellent with attractive original raised grain, a few dents and handling marks, some minor chips at the toe, distinct edges, and an exceptionally crisp cartouche.
Mechanically excellent. This exceptional American Machine Works Smith carbine would make a fine addition to any Civil War collection!
Provenance: The J.W. Hullf Collection; Private Collection.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 251
Exceptional Remington Type III Commercial Split
Breech Rolling Block Saddle Ring Carbine - NSN, 50 RF cal., 20
inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Remington Type III Split Breech
commercial carbines, such as this one as evidenced by its lack of an inspection cartouche on the
stock, were part of the last batch of approximately 1,000 manufactured in both small and large frame sizes
using leftover parts, dies, and machinery that was returned to E. Remington & Sons after the completion of the U.S.
government contract deliveries by Savage Revolving Arms Co. on behalf of Remington, per “Flayderman’s Guide” (9th
Edition, 5E-079.5). These were advertised in the catalog of 1866, with many sold and used out West. Features a pinched blade
front sight, notch rear sight with folding leaf graduated up to 500 yards, two-line Remington address and patent markings on the
upper tang, and saddle bar with saddle ring on the left of the frame. Single letter inspection initials marked on some components.
Serial number “1515” marked on the left front surface of the frame, with “1527” on the bottom of the barrel, concealed by the forearm,
and “38” on the left of the barrel.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 80% original blue finish with a smooth plum appearance, 95% vivid original case colors, and
sharp edges and markings in the metal. Wood is also very fine as re-oiled, with a small minor crack on the left rear of the forearm, a few
minor dents, and distinct edges. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 249
Exceptional
U.S. Civil War Gwyn & Campbell Type II Breech Loading Percussion Saddle Ring
Carbine - Serial no. 3592, 52 cal., 20 inch part octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock.
Approximately 4,000 of these Type II carbines were manufactured c. 1863-1864 by Gwyn and Campbell
of Hamilton, Ohio, per “Flayderman’s Guide” (9th Edition, 9B-059). These are essentially updated versions of the prior Cosmopolitan
carbines, and 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. Features a pinched blade front sight, ladder notch rear sight, boxed script
“WHR” inspection cartouche stamped on the left stock wrist and small “W.H.R” inspection initials ahead of the buttplate. Matching visible serial numbers on the bottom of the barrel,
frame, breech block and lever.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 97% original blue finish on the barrel, 85% plus vivid original case colors on the frame, lock, hammer and lever, 50% original niter blue finish on the breech block and upper tang, with
some minor surface freckling, and distinct edges in the metal overall. Stock is very fine as re-oiled, with attractive original raised grain, defined edges, some light handling marks, a small nick directly behind the upper tang, and
an exceptionally crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 252
Exceptionally Fine Civil War Burnside Model 1864 Breech Loading Percussion
Carbine - Serial no. 17537, 54 percussion 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
the his well-known design because he was forced to sell his shares before the company received sizeable government contracts. The
outbreak of the Civil War led to the purchase of over 50,000 Burnside carbines. They were the third most widely purchased breech loading
carbines during the war after only the Sharps and the Spencer. This high condition example has the standard markings and features, including
matching serial numbers and crisp government inspection markings.
CONDITION: Very fine. 85% of the slightly fading original blue finish remains on the barrel. The lever retains 90% of the bright original niter blue finish. The frame and remaining components retain 95% of the
vivid, original case colors. The wood is also very fine and has some small pressure marks, minor strike marks, and a few light scuffs. The markings are crisp. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,750 - 5,500
Collector’s Fact
According to "Flayderman's Guide",
approximately 1,000 Remington Type III Split
Breech commercials carbines were produced.