Smith Carbine

Delmarva shooting · June 25, 2012, 03:38 PM

I am looking for some info on my smith carbine( i think) i am not a civil war buff or have any knowledge on these types of guns. any info would be greatley appreciated

Delmarva shooting · June 25, 2012, 03:39 PM

Delmarva shooting · June 25, 2012, 03:42 PM

Delmarva shooting · June 25, 2012, 03:45 PM

i was having trouble finding any site with serial number info the ser#9984
a possible value would be great

sgms · June 25, 2012, 06:05 PM

Smith Carbines made by American Machine Works , Massachusetts Arms Company, and American Arms Company from 1861 to 1865 making over 30,000 total carbines. They are .50 cal. single shot, percussion breechloaders with a sling bar and ring on left side (There are some exceptions in placement but yours looks to be the standard ). There were a very few non military sales your was however a union military issue based on the government cartouches on the stock. I know of their issue to the 7th. and 11th. Ill. cavalry, the 7th. and 17th. Pen. cavalry, and the 6th. and 9th. Ohio. There are more but these are just the ones I am aware of. Value is hard to say, it depends greatly on where you are as to regional fluctuations. Based on you pictures around here $1500 to $2500 would be my guess.

PetahW · June 25, 2012, 07:13 PM

The Smith Carbine/patent utilized a paper or a rubber cartridge, and as posted above was made by Manufactured by American Machine Works, Springfield, Massachusetts.

Poultney and Trimble, Baltimore were selling agents.

The contract for Military sales of the Smith Carbine were handled by Poultney & Trimble and stamped ADDRESS POULTNEY & TRIMBLE BALTIMORE USA, from January 1862 to June 1865, with a total of 30,362 carbines delivered.

Which puts your Smith neatly into that period between August 1861, when the contract was given out & production started, until June 1865, when the last was delivered.

Here's a few F/S elsewhere:

http://www.gunsinternational.com/-20...n_id=100167322

http://www.gunauction.com/search/dis...temnum=9593600

http://www.gunsamerica.com/951468956...ar_Carbine.htm

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=284088140

.

James K · June 25, 2012, 08:07 PM

While the Smith carbine does not have the value of the Sharps or Spencer, that one is in exceptional condition and likely was never issued. I would WAG upward on the value to $3000+. You just don't see CW carbines like that lying around on the street.

FH is probably Fred Harvey, I can't see the other cartouche well enough to determine the initials.

Jim

buckhorn · June 27, 2012, 12:04 PM

I read an articles years ago,[and it's still around here someplace] About using 1/2 garden hose to make rubber cartridges for the Smith Carbine. Some of you older guys may have read the same article. As I remember, it worked fine. But I've never archived my books/magazines, so it would take a week to find it. I love Civil War Carbines, but have to admit my favorite is the Spencer, which has been brought back, but very pricey! The Smith was considered a reliable weapon, and I loved the pictures of it posted here by Delmarva. Thanks for posting them.

bedbugbilly · June 27, 2012, 08:36 PM

Great photos - your's is a nice one for sure!

Smiths have been reproduced by several companies - mainly for NSSA type shooting.

Go over to the NSSA site - North South Skirmish Association. You will find links to Sutlers who sell the cartridge tubes for these - the Winchester Sutler comes to mind. I believe there are some forums over there as well where you could ask more questions about yours. The NSSA has carbine matches as well as musket and artillery. A number of the members use Smiths. I shot an original many years ago (back int he 60's) that a friend had. Fairly accurate and lots of fun to shoot.

Google NSSA North South Skirmish Association

June 25, 2012, 03:38 PM	#1
Delmarva shooting Junior Member Join Date: March 10, 2011 Location: delaware Posts: 7	Smith Carbine I am looking for some info on my smith carbine( i think) i am not a civil war buff or have any knowledge on these types of guns. any info would be greatley appreciated

June 25, 2012, 06:05 PM	#5
sgms Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2010 Location: Arizona or Ohio depending Posts: 1,021	Smith Carbines made by American Machine Works , Massachusetts Arms Company, and American Arms Company from 1861 to 1865 making over 30,000 total carbines. They are .50 cal. single shot, percussion breechloaders with a sling bar and ring on left side (There are some exceptions in placement but yours looks to be the standard ). There were a very few non military sales your was however a union military issue based on the government cartouches on the stock. I know of their issue to the 7th. and 11th. Ill. cavalry, the 7th. and 17th. Pen. cavalry, and the 6th. and 9th. Ohio. There are more but these are just the ones I am aware of. Value is hard to say, it depends greatly on where you are as to regional fluctuations. Based on you pictures around here $1500 to $2500 would be my guess. Last edited by sgms; June 26, 2012 at 10:37 AM.

June 25, 2012, 03:39 PM	#2
Delmarva shooting Junior Member Join Date: March 10, 2011 Location: delaware Posts: 7

June 25, 2012, 03:42 PM	#3
Delmarva shooting Junior Member Join Date: March 10, 2011 Location: delaware Posts: 7

June 25, 2012, 03:45 PM	#4
Delmarva shooting Junior Member Join Date: March 10, 2011 Location: delaware Posts: 7	i was having trouble finding any site with serial number info the ser#9984 a possible value would be great

June 25, 2012, 07:13 PM	#6
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	The Smith Carbine/patent utilized a paper or a rubber cartridge, and as posted above was made by Manufactured by American Machine Works, Springfield, Massachusetts. Poultney and Trimble, Baltimore were selling agents. The contract for Military sales of the Smith Carbine were handled by Poultney & Trimble and stamped ADDRESS POULTNEY & TRIMBLE BALTIMORE USA, from January 1862 to June 1865, with a total of 30,362 carbines delivered. Which puts your Smith neatly into that period between August 1861, when the contract was given out & production started, until June 1865, when the last was delivered. Here's a few F/S elsewhere: http://www.gunsinternational.com/-20...n_id=100167322 http://www.gunauction.com/search/dis...temnum=9593600 http://www.gunsamerica.com/951468956...ar_Carbine.htm http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=284088140 .

June 25, 2012, 08:07 PM	#7
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	While the Smith carbine does not have the value of the Sharps or Spencer, that one is in exceptional condition and likely was never issued. I would WAG upward on the value to $3000+. You just don't see CW carbines like that lying around on the street. FH is probably Fred Harvey, I can't see the other cartouche well enough to determine the initials. Jim

June 27, 2012, 12:04 PM	#8
buckhorn Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2012 Location: mid michigan Posts: 196	I read an articles years ago,[and it's still around here someplace] About using 1/2 garden hose to make rubber cartridges for the Smith Carbine. Some of you older guys may have read the same article. As I remember, it worked fine. But I've never archived my books/magazines, so it would take a week to find it. I love Civil War Carbines, but have to admit my favorite is the Spencer, which has been brought back, but very pricey! The Smith was considered a reliable weapon, and I loved the pictures of it posted here by Delmarva. Thanks for posting them.

June 27, 2012, 08:36 PM	#9
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 3,287	Great photos - your's is a nice one for sure! Smiths have been reproduced by several companies - mainly for NSSA type shooting. Go over to the NSSA site - North South Skirmish Association. You will find links to Sutlers who sell the cartridge tubes for these - the Winchester Sutler comes to mind. I believe there are some forums over there as well where you could ask more questions about yours. The NSSA has carbine matches as well as musket and artillery. A number of the members use Smiths. I shot an original many years ago (back int he 60's) that a friend had. Fairly accurate and lots of fun to shoot. Google NSSA North South Skirmish Association __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63