Original U.S. Civil War Joslyn Firearms Co. First Model M1862 Saddle Ring Carbine Serial 3404 with Excellent Bore - Circa 1863

Original Item: Only one available. The Joslyn carbine Model 1862, often referred to as the First Model, was a cavalry weapon that used an innovative pivoting breechblock system invented and patented by Massachusetts gun designer Benjamin Franklin Joslyn in 1855. Under his June 1862 government contract, the Joslyn Fire Arms Company of Stonington, Connecticut, produced his first rimfire model carbine now designated as the Model 1862.

Designed for field use with Federal horse soldiers, the Joslyn carbine fired a standard Spencer rimfire cartridge of .52 caliber. Joslyn’s unique loading arrangement consisted of lifting up the breechblock tab or hook, pivoting the breechblock to the left and then inserting the round. The hook-type friction latch for the breechblock and its exposed firing pin extension were characteristics of the Model 1862 Joslyn.

Overall the carbine is in very good service-used condition with all parts intact; the matching serial number 3404 appears on the top of the breech block and on the barrel tang. The wood stock is in very good solid condition for its age and shows expected service wear — scratches, dents, dings and some small gouges; we see two clearly crisp visible inspection cartouches marked “FDL” for inspector Frederick D. Livingston in script (US government inspector). 

The metalwork, originally blued and case-hardened, now presents an overall gray polished patina from years of cleaning, with trace of original bluing in recessed areas. The lock plate bears maker information but is not dated (supporting the earlier c.1863 configuration), which is clear and crisp:

JOSLYN FIRE ARMS Co.
STONINGTON CONN

The rear of the swiveling breech block retains the three-line patent marking reading:
B.F. JOSLYN’S PATENT
OCTOBER 8TH 1861
JUNE 24TH 1862

The left breech end of the barrel is marked “FDL” for inspector Frederick D. Livingston, and the butt tang remains correctly stamped “L.” 

Mechanically the action opens smoothly and locks back into place; the firing pin and original return spring are present and functional, the lock holds at half-cock and fires at full, and the saddle ring bar on the left side is intact with its sliding ring. Most notable is the bore, which is superb — mirror bright with crisp lands and grooves, showing no meaningful fouling or oxidation and possibly the best bore we have seen on a Joslyn carbine. 

This well-maintained, historically significant example would make a fine addition to any Civil War or small-arms collection!

Specifications:
Year of manufacture c.1862-1863 (early undated lock configuration)
Caliber .52 Spencer
Ammunition type: Rimfire cartridge
Barrel length: 22 inches
Overall length 38 3/4 inches
Action: rotating breech with manual hammer
Feed system: Breech Loading
Serial number 3404

History of the Joslyn Rifle:

In 1855, Joslyn designed the first of his breech-loading carbines, which had an elongated breech block that reached down to the wrist of the rifle. After successful tests, the U.S. Army ordered 50 of these rifles in 1857 in .54 caliber. The Army quickly lost interest in the rifle, but in 1858 the U.S. Navy ordered 500 of these in .58 caliber. Production problems resulted in only 150 to 200 of these rifles being delivered in 1861.

Subsequently Joslyn designed a modified version in 1861 using a metal rimfire cartridge, as opposed to the paper combustible cartridges used before. More importantly, the model 1961 introduced a laterally hinged block called the "cap" which enveloped the standing breech and could be swung open to the left when the locking catch was released. This was a vast improvement over the previous breech design.

This design was further refined in 1862 with the addition of cam surfaces which improved the cartridge seating and extraction. The Model 1861 was chambered for the Spencer .56-56 rimfire cartridge, and the improved Model 1862 used the Spencer .56-52 rimfire cartridge.

The Federal Ordnance Department ordered 860 of these carbines, which were delivered in 1862. Most went to units from Ohio. In 1862, Joslyn received an order for 20,000 carbines. Delivery on these weapons started in 1863, but by the time the Civil War came to an end only about half of these had been delivered.

The Model 1864 Carbine featured many small improvements and refinements to the Model 1862 design, and could fire either the Spencer .56-52 cartridge or a .54 caliber cartridge made by Joslyn.

In 1865, Joslyn submitted two carbine designs for trial, both based on the Model 1864 carbine. Despite the difficulties between Joslyn and the U.S. Government, an order was placed for 5,000 of these weapons. Springfield Armory produced approximately 3,000 Joslyn rifles before hostilities ended.

After the war ended, the U.S. Government canceled all remaining contracts, claiming that the rifles failed to meet specifications. Litigation related to these contracts persisted for many years after the war ended. Sadly this has resulted in the Joslyn firearms company being known more for their litigation than for the actual firearms they produced.

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.