This is an excellent example of a scarce Civil War contract Ball carbine manufactured by Lamson & Co. Only approximately 1,002 of these were manufactured. They appear to have all been delivered after the hostilities ended and thus those few that remain are generally in outstanding condition for a weapon produced during the war. The left side of the receiver is marked "E.G. LAMSON & CO./WINDSOR. VT./U.S./BALLS PATENT./JUNE.23.1863/MAR. 15, 1864." There is a small "S" stamped on most of the components and a very small "GGS" stamped on the bottom of the forearm and top of the stock just ahead of the buttplate tang. It has a fixed blade front sight and two leaf folding rear sight with "1", "4" and "6" graduation markings. The cleaning rod is offset to the right side of the forearm, and a sling ring and bar are on the left side of the receiver. It has a blue barrel, casehardened remaining parts, and is mounted with a smooth walnut forearm with steel end cap and straight grip stock with an iron carbine buttplate and sharp "GGS" cartouche on the left wrist with a "P" overlapping the top edge.

Excellent. The carbine is as-issued and has almost certainly never been fired. The barrel retains 95% finish and has an even, dark blue brown appearance, and nearly 97% of the case colors remain with attractive patterns. The wood is also excellent with only some minor pressure marks and faint scratches. The action is excellent, and the markings are crisp throughout.