Over 30,000 Smith carbines were manufactured by American Machine Works and Massachusetts Arms Co. during the Civil War between 1861-1865, with nearly all of them purchased by the U.S. Government, per "Flayderman's Guide" (9th Edition, 9B-085). Some of these carbines were issued to the 3rd West Virginia Cavalry, who served as part of George Armstrong Custer's 3rd Division and played a pivotal role in the Battle of Moorefield in 1864. This Smith carbine was manufactured by American Machine Works in Springfield, Massachusetts. It utilized a special .50 caliber percussion cartridge which sealed the break action leading to higher pressure and thus velocity than the bullets fired from muzzle loading weapons. Blade front and ladder rear sights, with a sling bar and ring mounted on the left of the receiver, and an oval script "JH" inspection cartouche stamped on the left stock wrist. Provenance: The J.W. Hullf Collection; Private Collection