The Peabody carbine was manufactured by the Providence Tool Co. of Providence, Rhode Island c. 1866-1871. The Peabody Carbine was developed and tested in 1864, but the end of the Civil War terminated Ordnance Department interest in the carbine. Large numbers of Peabody rifles and carbines were sold to Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, Romania, Spain, and France for use in the Franco-Prussian War. Post-war sales of Peabody rifles and carbines in the United States were limited to three state contracts. South Carolina purchased 350 .50 caliber Peabody carbines originally manufactured for a French contract. The carbine has a military blue barrel with block front sight and two-leaf folding rear sight. The barrel band, receiver, breech block, hammer, side plate, lever and buttplate are color casehardened. A staple-mounted carbine sling ring is mounted at the junction of the left side of the stock and the receiver. The stock and forearm are oil-finished black walnut. The left side of the receiver is roll-stamped "PEABODY'S PAT./JULY 22. 1862/MAN'F'D BY/PROVIDENCE TOOL CO./PROV. R.I." in five lines. Small single block letter sub-inspection marks on most components. Oval "WC" Providence Tool Co. inspection mark which was stamped on all Peabody carbines manufactured for foreign contracts is stamped on the left side of the stock wrist. A brass collection tag marked "FBS2" is hanging from the saddle ring. Includes a Peabody combination screwdriver tool. Provenance: The Donald Bates Collection

Excellent, retaining 97% original blue finish on the barrel. Retains 60% original blue finish on the rear sight with smooth brown patina on the balance. Retains 97% vivid original case colors with some scattered very light freckling on the frame. Wood is also excellent with attractive original raised grain and rich oil finish, defined edges, a few small chips at the tail of the lock, a few light handling marks, and an exceptionally crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent. This exceptional example of a Providence Tool Co. Peabody carbine would be difficult to improve upon!