Approximately 10,500 of these Hall Model 1843 side lever carbines were manufactured by Simeon North between 1844-1853, according to "Flayderman's Guide" (9th Edition, 9A-277). The 1st and 2nd U.S. Dragoons were among the units issued these carbines during the Mexican-American War (April 25, 1846-February 2, 1848), and more than half are believed to have been rifled for use in the Civil War, making original smoothbore examples like this scarce. Its western heritage certainly adds to its interest. It has a blade front and notch rear sight. "U.S./S. NORTH/MIDLtn/CONN./1846" marked on top of the breech block, with "JH" (Joseph Hannis) inspection initials marked on the left of the breech. The consignor indicated this carbine was purchased from J. W. Hullf on October 8, 1973. Provenance: The J. W. Hullf Collection; Private Collection