This is an extraordinary example of a Smith Carbine that was manufactured by American Machine Works of Springfield, Massachusetts, c. 1861-1865. American Machine Works and Massachusetts Arms Company manufactured more than 30,000 of the Smith breech loading carbines for the Ordnance Department during the Civil War. The Smith Carbine was a popular and widely issued Federal cavalry carbine. The carbine has a military blue barrel and niter blue barrel latch, trigger guard and barrel band. The receiver, hammer and buttplate have a color casehardened finish. The stock and forearm are oil-finished black walnut. The part-octagon/part-round barrel has a dove-tail mounted front sight with nickel-silver blade and a folding leaf rear sight. A sling bar and ring are mounted on the left side of the receiver. The left side of the receiver is roll-stamped with the Smith's patent date, the Poultney and Trimble address and "MANUFACTURED BY/AM'N M'CH'N WKS/SPRINGFIELD MASS" in three lines. The serial number "9191" is stamped on the bottom of the breech block and the partial serial number "91" is stamped on either side of the breech. The left side of the stock wrist is stamped with two Ordnance inspections stamps, one stamp consists of the script initials "HDH" in a rectangle and the other consists of the script initials "JH" in an oval. The Ordnance sub-inspection mark "LFR" is stamped on the left barrel flat. "H.D.H" is stamped in small letters on the comb of the stock near the buttplate and on the underside of the forearm. Single letter Ordnance sub-inspection marks are stamped on most components.

Excellent plus. The carbine is all original and appears to be un-fired and as-issued. The barrel retains 97% of the military blue finish. The receiver, and hammer retain 98% of the vivid case colors. The casehardened finish on the buttplate has faded slightly but remains at least 95% intact. The barrel band has some handling wear with 70% of the niter blue finish is present on the barrel latch, trigger guard and screws. The stock and forearm are both in nearly new condition with virtually all of the oil finish and extremely sharp Ordnance inspection marks. This is an excellent example of a Civil War Smith carbine in nearly new, un-issued condition.