This Smith carbine was manufactured by the American Machine Works of Springfield, Massachusetts. The Smith Carbine was one of the most important Federal Cavalry carbines. A total of 30,362 Smith Carbines were purchased by the United States during the Civil War. Smith Carbines were considered to be accurate and reliable weapons. The carbine has a blued barrel, casehardened receiver, hammer, barrel band and buttplate, and niter blue trigger guard and barrel latch. The stock and forearm are oil-finished black walnut. The carbine is fitted with a folding leaf rear sight on the barrel and a sling bar and ring on the left side of the frame. The left side of the frame is marked: "ADDRESS/POULTNEY & TRIMBLE/BALTIMORE U.S.A." in three horizontal lines above the sling bar and "SMITH'S PATENT/JUNE 23, 1857" in two vertical lines near the breech. The serial number is located on the barrel lug and on the receiver lugs. An Ordnance sub-inspection mark, "L.F.R." is stamped on the left barrel flat. The Ordnance final inspector's and sub-inspector's script initials are stamped in a rectangle and an oval on the left side of the stock wrist.

Excellent. The hammer and frame have 97% plus vivid case colors. The case colors on the barrel band and buttplate have faded to a dark patina. 85% of the fiery niter blue finish is present on the barrel latch and trigger guard, with 80% of the original blue finish present on the barrel with the balance a brown patina. All of the factory markings and Ordnance inspection marks are sharp. The stock and forearm are very fine with some chipping visible at the frame juncture and only light storage marks. Mechanically excellent.