The Cosmopolitan Arms Co. was formed by Edward Gwyn and Abner Campbell in 1859 in Hamilton, Ohio, and later operated under the partners' names. Their rifles and carbines were manufactured using a combination of a patent by Gwyn's former partner Henry Gross and a patent held by Gwyn who was an English immigrant and prior resident of New York. Several variations of these early rifles were manufactured around 1859-1862. Estimates of the total manufactured range from under 50 to just under 100. These rifles are one of the rarest Civil War era breech loading longarms. The lock is marked "COSMOPOLITAN ARMS CO." in an arc above "HAMILTON O. U.S./GROSS' PATENT". The right side of the barrel has a bayonet lug which was used for a large knife style bayonet (not included). Mounted with a smooth straight grip stock with an iron buttplate. Includes a modern reproduction leather sling. Provenance: The George Moller Collection

Fair. The metal surfaces have a dark patina over extensive moderate to deep pitting throughout. There is an absent upper tang screw. The stock is good with a chip at the lock plate, stress crack at the buttplate tang and minor handling marks. Mechanically fine. As one of less than 100 manufactured, it will likely be a long time before you find another Civil War era Cosmopolitan breech loading rifle.