The Palmer carbine was patented in 1863 and holds the distinction of being the first metallic cartridge bolt action firearm ever adopted by the U.S. Ordnance Department. The bolt on this design is used to seat the cartridge and seal the breech. It fires with a traditional side lock. Approximately 1,001 of these carbines were ordered by the U.S. government, but they arrived one month too late to see action during the Civil War. This carbine has small "M.M" (Miles Moulton) inspector initials on the left of the breech, left stock flat and top of the stock, and a script "MM" cartouche on the left stock flat. Provenance: The Bob Noske Collection; The David Aroh Collection; Property of a Gentleman