Original U.S. Civil War Gwyn & Campbell Type II Saddle-Ring "Union Carbine" with Excellent Bore and Stock - Serial Number 4449

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely example of the rare Type II Gwyn & Campbell Saddle-Ring carbine, also known as the "Grapevine Carbine" due to the snake like curves in the trigger guard lever and long hammer. It looks to have seen only light use during its life, and has an excellent bore and wood butt stock. One of some 4,200 carbines produced, the .52 caliber, percussion breech-loading carbine was developed for the Ohio State Cavalry in 1862 by businessmen Edward Gwyn and partner Abner C. Campbell, both of Hamilton, Ohio. The type II is more commonly encountered than the scarce Type I, which had a more "serpentine" shape, an had lock screws that attached from the right side of the lock plate. The U.S. Ordnance Dept. granted over a dozen contracts to Gwyn & Campbell for a total of 8,202 carbines of both types. A number of Federal cavalry units were armed with the G & C carbine and included the 3rd Wisconsin; 2nd and 3rd Iowa; 2nd & 3rd Arkansas; 5th and 8th Ohio; 5th, 6th and 16th Illinois along with other Civil War units.

The carbine is a single shot, falling-block action "capping breechloader" piece mated to a 19" round barrel that has a 3 1/2" long octagonal section at the breech. The hammer has a flat back with a beveled edge and a lever that is long and serpentine in shape. The lever locks into a short claw-like spur inside the bottom loop of the lever, which must be pushed back to unlock the lever.

This specimen exhibits all iron mountings, which look to have suffered some oxidation in the past, but then were tastefully refinished and restored at some point. It looks very close to the original finish, but close examination shows that there is past light pitting in many areas, which as been removed, and the surface refinished. This has resulted in some of the markings becoming a bit faint, caused by the resurfacing prior to refinishing. Fully matching serial number 4449 is clearly stamped on underside of barrel, receiver, breech plug and loading lever. Weapon is stamped with maker's mark on the lock plate, which is clear on the first two lines, however the lower lines are very faint:

GWYN & CAMPBELL
PATENT
1862
HAMILTON, O.

The carbine is lightly stamped stamped UNION / RIFLE on the side of the frame beneath the nipple area. The other side of the action has an intact ring bar with saddle ring, for use with cavalry troops. The Wood butt stock is excellent, with a lovely varnished finish and just a few dents and dings. There is a clear "boxed" WHR inspectors cartouche on the left side, most likely for William H. Russell, who inspected arms from 1862-1863.

Mechanically, the action works flawlessly, opening and closing easily, with the lever snapping easily back into the retainer. The lock is fully functional, holding at half cock and firing at full, and the cap nipple cone looks to be original, and is in very good condition. The bore is in excellent barely used condition, showing a bright finish with crisp lands and grooves for the entire length. There is just a bit of past fouling and oxidation in areas, indicating it was lightly used and well cared for.

Overall this Carbine used by the Union Army in the Civil War is in lovely restored condition with a fantastic bore, and is fully ready to display. A rare Civil War Carbine, most unusual to find today, with some great research potential.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: c.1862-3
Caliber: .52"
Cartridge Type: Percussion Cap and Paper Cartridge
Barrel Length: 20 Inches
Overall Length: 39 Inches
Action type: Falling-Block with Side-Action Lock
Feed System: Single Shot

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