This is one of the reported 892 First Type carbines manufactured based on Edward Lindner's patent for the U.S. Government during the Civil War. They were likely manufactured at Amoskeag Manufacture Co. 391 First Type carbines were delivered to the Michigan Cavalry around November 1861, and 501 were delivered to the 8th West Virginia Mounted Infantry in late 1863. These were the only Lindner carbines actually delivered to a federal armory for issue to the Union cavalry. By the time the improved version was ready to be shipped, the government had decided it no longer wanted to purchase percussion arms and refused to send an inspector to approve the arms leading to a de facto rejection of the whole lot; some of these carbines were purchased by the states for their militias. This example has the correct First Type breechblock patent marking: "EDWARD LINDNER'S/PATENT/MARCH 29, 1859," and the lock plate is correctly not marked. A saddle ring is mounted on the left side of the stock. The carbine has a blade front sight and a two leaf rear sight. There are some faint inspection markings, including a cartouche near the buttplate.

Fine. The crisp metal has light gray patina, some patches of brown patina forming, and some small areas of minor pitting mostly on or near the breech. The lock plate is very fine and in the original bright "armory" polish. The stock has moderate wear including a large number of small dings and scratches. The lock and breech mechanism are mechanically fine, and the markings are mostly clear. One will look a long time to find a finer example!