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. Reportedly 17,728 Gallager carbines were manufactured in three different variations. This example is one of 5,000 late production chambered for the .56-52 Spencer rimfire cartridge, originally ordered on contract by the U.S. government towards the end of the Civil War and delivered right after the end of the conflict. These carbines are identifiable by a firing pin that replaced the percussion nipple and the addition of a cartridge extractor. It has a pinched blade front sight, notch and folding leaf rear sight, blued barrel and casehardened frame, lock plate marked "GALLAGER'S PATENT/JULY 17Th 1860" and "MANUFACTd BY/RICHARDSON & OVERMAN/PHILADa" above the serial number, left mounted saddle bar and ring ahead of a boxed script "WHB" inspection cartouche on the smooth walnut stock with a blued patch box and buttplate. Provenance: The Gary Bisackie Collection; The David Aroh Collection; The Ron Bucholtz Collection

Excellent, retains 85% plus original blue finish on the barrel with scattered very light freckling and some smooth brown patina on the rear sight, 98% plus vibrant original case colors on the frame, tangs, lock, hammer and lever, and 85% plus original nitre blue finish on the patchbox and buttplate with sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. Stock is also excellent with attractive original raised grains and rich oil finish, a few light handling marks, a mostly defined cartouche and distinct edges. Mechanically excellent. This exceptional example of a Gallager carbine would make an excellent addition to any U.S. Martial or Civil War firearms collection!