These carbines were manufactured by Edward Gwyn and Abner C. Campbell in Ohio and are essentially updated versions of their prior Cosmopolitan carbines. Gwyn & Campbell manufactured around 8,200 of the Type I and Type II carbines in 1863 and 1864. They were issued in fairly large numbers to Union cavalry units operating in the Western Theater during the Civil War, including the 8th Iowa Cavalry, which received 2,007 Gwyn & Campbells in total and was mustered into service in Davenport, Iowa, just across the river from Rock Island Auction Company. This example has the standard Type II markings and features. Equipped with a pinched blade front sight, ladder rear sight graduated to 600 yards with a 700 yard notch, boxed script "WHR" inspection cartouche stamped on the left of the stock wrist and "W.H.R" inspection initials stamped ahead of the buttplate.

Excellent, retains 90% original blue finish on the barrel with some areas thinning to a smooth brown patina, 90% plus vivid original case colors remain on the frame, lock, hammer and lever, 80% plus fiery original niter blue finish on the breech block and upper tang, and 20% original niter blue finish on the buttplate with smooth brown patina on the balance. The stock is also excellent with defined edges, some light handling marks, and exceptionally crisp stampings. Mechanically excellent.