April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2019
These carbines were manufactured by Edward Gwyn and Abner C. Campbell in Hamilton, Ohio between 1863 and 1864 with a total of approximately 8,200 manufactured. This carbine is also referred to as the Cosmopolitan or the Union Carbine. The 11th Kentucky Cavalry was part of the force which forced Confederate Raider John Hunt Morgan to surrender near Lisbon, Ohio. At Philadelphia, Tennessee the 11th Kentucky lost 89 men, captured by Confederate Cavalry and had all of their carbines confiscated, thus falling into Confederate hands. The 5th and 6th Illinois Cavalry, armed with approximately 150 of these carbines, joined Sherman's Army, and participated in the Vicksburg Campaign. A total of 4,000 Gwyn & Campbell carbines were delivered to the Army; over 900 of which went to the 8th Ohio Cavalry. Left side of stock has two inspector cartouche stamps in rectangles: "RKW" for Robert K. Whiteley and "WHR" for William H. Russell. Right side of frame is stamped "UNION RIFLE"; right side of sideplate is stamped "GWYN & CAMPBELL PATENTED 1862 HAMILTON O". Features part octagon to round barrel, post front sight, ladder rear sight, case colored frame, hammer and lever, saddle ring and bar, nitre blue block and tang, walnut stock. CONDITION: Barrel is octagon to round and is a smooth, homogeneous blue-brown patina. Frame, hammer and sideplate retains approximately 90% case colors on right side and 10% on left. This is one of the finer condition Gwyn & Campbell carbines we have encountered. Near mint, bright and shiny bore with strong rifling.
Caliber/Bore
.52 Percussion
Manufacturer
Gwyn & Campbell