The Smith carbine was manufactured by the American Machine Works of Springfield, Mass., Massachusetts Arms Company, and American Arms Company of Chicopee Falls, Mass., from 1861 to 1865 and was one of the more popular cavalry carbines used during the war. A total of 30,362 Smith carbines were purchased by the United States during the Civil War. Smaller quantities of the carbines were sold commercially including through Schuyler, Hartley & Graham. Poultney & Trimble served as Gilbert Smith's agents. This American Machine Works produced commercial carbine has the standard three sets of markings on the left side of the frame "MANUFACTURED BY/AM'N M'CH'N. WKS/SPRINGFIELD MASS", "ADDRESS/POULTNEY & TRIMBLE/BALTIMORE U.S.A." and "SMITH'S PATENT/JUNE 23, 1857". There is a blemish in the metal and a seam on the top of the action which may be why it was selected for civilian sales. The blued barrel has a "B" on the left flat at the breech and is fitted with a German silver blade front sight and folding leaf rear sight. It has a casehardened hammer and action with a saddle ring and bar mounted on the left side of the frame and mounted with a smooth walnut forearm and straight grip stock with a blued steel buttplate. There is a "G.P" stamp on the left side of the stock at the junction with the receiver and a "B" on top of the stock directly ahead of the buttplate tang and on the right side of the wrist.

Excellent as issued. The carbine retain 97% plus of the original blue and niter blue finish and 98% fiery case colors with some minor fading from handling and storage and occasional small marks. Some flaking of blue on the barrel band which is 60% intact. The excellent wood has only minor pressure marks and a few small scratches.