Only 1,500 of these Joslyn "Monkey Tail" carbines are estimated to have been manufactured by A. H. Waters of Millbury, Massachusetts, in 1855 and 1856, and were the last firearms manufactured by Asa H. Waters. The Waters family had been involved in U.S. martial arms contracts since at least the 1808 contract muskets. These Joslyn carbines are known to have been issued to the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th Ohio Cavalry regiments in limited numbers. Features a large pinched blade front sight, ladder rear sight, and a left mounted saddle bar and ring. Faint remnants of a circled script inspection cartouche visible on the left stock flat. "A.H. WATERS & Co/MILBURY MASS" marked on the lock, "PATd BY/B.F.JOSLYN./AUG.23.1855" marked on top of the breech block in reference to inventor Benjamin F. Joslyn. "K5" marked on the right of the brass barrel band.

Very good, with a smooth mottled brown and gray patina appearance on the blue barrel, patterns of muted original case colors with smooth gray patina visible beneath an applied brown varnish-like outer coating, golden bright and golden aged patinas on the brass fittings, and sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. The stock is fine as lightly sanded and re-oiled, with scattered light dents and scratches, repaired cracks visible on either side of the wrist, a repaired and spliced section on bottom ahead of the trigger guard, and a few hairline cracks ahead of the buttplate. Mechanically excellent.