Original Excellent U.S. Civil War Gwyn & Campbell Type II Saddle-Ring “Union Carbine” – Serial Number 2069 Original Items

Original Item: One Only. This is an excellent 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. 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.

Weapon 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. This specimen exhibits all iron mountings and has faint traces of case colors on the receiver. Hammer has a flat back with a beveled edge and a lever that is long and serpentine in shape. Lever locks into a short claw-like spur inside the bottom loop of the lever.

The metal finish is in very good condition with a lovely gray patina over most areas, and just a bit of peppering on the barrel. Cap nipple is intact, and appears to be original. Fully matching serial number 2069 is clearly stamped on underside of barrel, receiver, breech plug and loading lever. Weapon is stamped with maker’s mark on the lockplate, which is still clear:

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 only some light wear and dings, and two clear inspectors cartouches on the left side: R K W and W H R. The first inspector is not one that we could identify, but the second could be William H. Russell, who inspected arms from 1862-1863. The bore is bright and shiny for almost all of the interior, except for a few spots of fouling near the breech. Hands down the best bore we have ever seen on one of these rare carbines.

Overall this Carbine use by the Union Army in the Civil War is in splendid condition and is fully ready to display.  A rare Civil War Carbine, most unusual to find today.

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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