The Gallager carbine was designed by Dr. Mahlon J. Gallager, a Southerner by birth, and manufactured under license by Richardson & Overman in Philadelphia where Gallager had a dental practice. Under 18,000 Gallager carbines were manufactured in three variations. The first two versions were widely used during the Civil War by the Union cavalry though they suffered from extraction problems like many of the breech loaders from the era. This example is a standard percussion model and was manufactured during the Civil War. It has a blade front sight, notch and folding leaf rear sight, "GALLAGER'S PATENT/JULY 17TH 1860" and "MANUFACTD BY/RICHARDSON & OVERMAN/PHILADA" on the lock plate, matching serial numbers, and a smooth stock with blued patch box, saddle ring bar, and ring. The top of the barrel behind the rear sight is stamped with "J.M.D." (inspector not known). The left side of the stock just behind the sling bar has a "WHB" cartouche (inspector William H. Barber or Bulkey), and a matching stamp is on the comb.

Very fine overall. 75% of the original blue finish and case colors remain. There is some light fading throughout, scattered minor scratches, and some brown patina. The excellent stock only has minor scrapes and pressure marks. It is mechanically excellent and has crisp markings throughout.