This carbine is one of an estimated 20,202 "Model 1863" carbines manufactured between 1863 and 1865. Some were used by Union mounted units during the final battles of the war including by the 9th and 11th Indiana Cavalry and the 11th Tennessee Cavalry. The brass cases used in these carbines combined with the lever opening action made them particularly easy to load. This model was adopted after the Massachusetts Arms Company factory in Chicopee Falls was rebuilt following a fire in 1861. The company also manufactured a number of other weapons, including Adams revolvers, Smith carbines, and Warner Carbines. The company was originally founded by Joshua Stevens along with Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson who went on to form the Stevens Arms Company and Smith & Wesson. Among the first arms they produced were the early Sharps breech loaders. This example has the three line Mass. Arms Co. address on the right side of the frame, the four line Maynard patent marking on the left side followed by the saddle ring bare, a dovetailed "pinched" blade front sight, notch rear sight with folding leaves graduated to 300 and 500 yards, a smooth stock with crisp "GWS" and "JM" cartouches on the left, and the serial number on the lower tang.