Presented here, in excellent condition, is a Type II Gwyn & Campbell carbine. One of some 4,000 carbines produced, the .52 caliber, percussion breech-loading Gwyn & Campbell carbine was the invention of businessmen Edward Gwyn and partner Abner C. Campbell, both of Hamilton, Ohio. Sometimes referred to as the ‘Union Carbine’ or ‘Grapevine Carbine’, the Gwyn & Campbell Type 2 is the most common encountered in the collecting field and was the successor weapon to the Cosmopolitan Arms Company carbine. The U.S. Ordnance Department granted over a dozen contracts to Gwyn & Campbell during 1863 and 1864 for a total of 8,202 carbines. A number of Federal cavalry units were armed with this weapon and included the 3^rd Wisconsin; 2^nd and 3^rd Iowa; 2^nd & 3^rd Arkansas; 5^th and 8^th Ohio; 5^th, 6^th and 16^th Illinois along with other Civil War units.

Weapon is a single shot, falling-block action piece mated to a 19” round barrel that has a 3 ½” long octagonal section at the breech. This specimen was reassembled from parts following the Civil War and exhibits all original case colors on the metal components. Hammer has a flat back with a beveled edge and a lever that is less curved that the Type 1 model. Lever locks into a small claw-like vertical latch on bottom of the stock. Since reassembled from multiple guns after the war, this specimen sports three serial numbers: 2697 on barrel, 2641 on frame and trigger guard latch, and 2729 on breech block. Weapon is stamped with maker’s mark of “GWYN & CAMPBELL / PATENT / 1862 / HAMILTON, O.” on the lockplate. Stamped “Union Rifle” on frame. All screws in fine condition not buggered. A folding rear sight sits on the octagon frame. Carbine exhibits strong mechanics and is fitted with a sling bar and sling ring. Bore is clean and bright with rifling.

Two strong inspector cartouches visible on left side of stock near the frame. Wood stock excellent and appears untouched with just very light dings and dents from use and storage. An inspector’s initials are stamped on the top of the comb near the butt plate. This Gwyn & Campbell carbine is a fine representative cavalry arm of the Civil War and would definitely enhance any military carbine display or collection.   [jet]

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