This is a British P1856 Cavalry Carbine from the Civil War period. These weapons are hard to come by, as they were not imported in the numbers that the Pattern 1853 rifle musket were. The overall length of the carbine is 37", with a barrel length of 21". The barrel has a dark brown patina with moderate pitting around the top of the breech and bolster area. There is also a light tint of gold to the barrel, bands, lock and hammer. This one looks like it could have spent some time in a GAR hall after it went north as a war trophy. The barrel is stamped with Birmingham proof marks on the left side near the breech. The front sight is still reporting for duty, the rear sight is missing. The bore is dark with light rust and some pitting. The bore gages at .64 caliber, so this one did some shootin! The lock plate is marked in two lines, 1863/ TOWER forward of the hammer and a British crown to the rear of the hammer. The hammer, lock plate and both barrel bands all have the same matching patina as the barrel, to include that gold tint. The hammer will lock in the half cock position, but will not stay in the full cock position. The saddle bar and ring have been removed from the left stock flat. The trigger guard, butt plate and nose cap are all brass and have a rich golden hue mixed with mottled dark spots. There are no sling swivels on this one. The unique captive ramrod is still reporting for duty. The stock shows honest wear from service, having the normal bumps and bruises. There is one small age crack on the right stock flat just behind the lock. The wood has a very eye pleasing medium brown appearance. There is no major wood loss, and the barrel channel edges are nice and crisp. The initials JKR have been neatly carved into the right side of the stock. In addition to the initials, a brass medallion with a six point star in the center has been added to the stock, just forward of the initials. This came from the Texas Gun Collectors show a few weeks ago, and had verbal provenance of being carried by a Texas cavalryman. The Civil War database shows several Texans with the same initials serving with a couple of different units. These Confederate import carbines saw use from the time they arrive at port until the war ended. If you are a fan of Confederate weapons, Cavalry carbines or imported weapons you should not let this one pass you by!

Item # AA3170

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