This is a scarce example of one of the 1,052 Gibbs carbines manufactured by William F. Brooks of New York City and delivered to the U.S. government in 1863. Around 500 Gibbs carbines were issued to the 10th Missouri Cavalry, and lesser quantities were issued to the 13th and 14th New York Cavalry. This is an early example and has a faint inspector's cartouche near the buttplate on the left. The lock plate does not have an eagle behind the hammer, and "Wm. F. BROOKS/MANFR NEW YORK" is stamped in front of the hammer without a date. The top of the receiver is marked "L.H. GIBBS/PAT'D/JAN Y 8, 1856" at the breech. It features a blade front sight and a three leaf rear sight graduated out to 500 yards. The stock has a sling bar with ring mounted on the left side and an unmarked buttplate. There is a "B" stamped on the barrel on the left at the breech and no other inspection marks. The Gibbs carbine suffered numerous setbacks preventing large scale production, and then manufacturing was halted altogether when the armory was burned during the 1863 New York Draft Riots.

Very good. The metal surfaces have gray and brown patina throughout and scattered marks and scratches. The wood is very good and has several small dents and scrapes. The action functions fine and the markings are crisp.