Manufactured circa 1865, the Palmer carbine was manufactured by E.G. Lamson & Co., of Windsor, Vermont, and is significant as the first metallic cartridge bolt-action weapon accepted by the Ordnance Department for issue to the U.S. Army. The Ordnance Department contracted the 1,001 Palmer carbines late in the Civil War and delivered in June 1865, after the fighting ceased, thus were un-issued. The barrel is equipped with a blade front and folding double leaf rear sights. A sling bar and ring are attached to the left stock flat. The barrel was blue, the bolt is bright and the bolt handle, hammer, lock plate, barrel band, trigger guard, buttplate and sling bar casehardened. The lock plate is marked "U.S./E.G. LAMSON & CO/WINDSOR VT." in front of the hammer and dated "1865" behind it. The top of the receiver is marked "Wm PALMER/PATENT/DEC. 22, 1863". A small "MM" is stamped on the left rear side of the barrel next to the rear sight, and a "P" is stamped on the front of the trigger guard plate, buttplate tang, barrel band and on the hammer. Smooth one-piece oil finished straight grip stock with a clear boxed "MM" cartouche on the left flat.

Fine. The barrel retains 60% slightly faded original brown finish. The remaining metal surfaces retain 40% original case colors overall with some minor pitting on the buttplate. The stock is very fine with some scattered minor dents and a shallow dent on the underside of the forearm. Mechanically excellent.