These artillery carbines were modelled on the 1822 cavalry carbine and intended as replacements for the muskets in the expectation gun crews would be riding of the carriages. The barrel was made slightly longer, standard sling swivels replaced side bars for a carbine sling and the ramrod was fitted in the stock. Originally smooth bore and flintlock, these underwent a series of changes starting about 1840, with the adoption of the percussion system. This one shows an 1840 date, indicating it was among the last made in flint, and then converted to percussion, a change indicated by the “T” appearing after the M1829 model designation on the breechplug tang. The lockplate shows where the pan was removed and the nipple was installed directly on the barrel with a redesigned hammer. In the mid-1840s these were upgraded again, with the bore reamed out from about .64 to .69 caliber (17.1 to 17.6mm) rifled and a “tige” breech added, that featured a pillar to expand the bullet when rammed down hard using the rather heavy-weight ramrod. Barrels were also fitted to mount the M1842 yatagan style brass hilted bayonet. The 1850s brought a new series of changes, indicated by the “bis” of the model designation, including an improved long range rear sight, adoption of the Minie ball that obviated the need for the pillar in the breech, which was then remove as guns came back into arsenals. These changes kept the guns in service through the Crimean War and into the Franco-Prussian War.

The carbine is complete with all sights, swivels, rod, and bayonet lug, with and original saber bayonet in its scabbard, and parts of its belt frog. The wood and metal fit is tight. The wood has good color and surface showing small handling dings, pressure dents and some slight rounding to edges from handling, but is generally very good. The wood butt stock disk on the right was replaced with a plain one at some point, likely after being sold out of service. The left butt stock shows a rack number. The brass mounts have a good medium tone. The iron is a medium bright gray with some thin brown forward of the stock, and some darker bluish-gray stains. The hammer shows some light pitting. The rest of the metal is smooth. The markings are very good. The lock indicates manufacture at the royal armory at Tulle (“Mre Rl de Tulle.”) The breach designation is correct in giving the model year and the upgrades indicated by a script “T” and the word “bis.” The left breach caliber marking is slightly rubbed. The serial number 2424 is sharp. The right breech date is very clear. The smaller, scattered inspection marks are legible. The rear sight has the final upgrade of the slide and range indicated out to 650 meters. The bayonet fits well, is nicely marked and the blade has a good, edge, point and semi-bright surface. The brass hilt has a medium tone. The scabbard is good, semi-bright with some gray spots and freckling, but no big dings or dents. The frog is fragmentary, but we have left in place, as found.  Action works very well; bore is very clean with good rifling.

This is an interesting gun showing modification of the original design for use by a different branch of service, and then adaptation to a new method of ignition in going from flint to percussion, smoothbore to rifled, and then further modification to adapt to developments in the bullet, etc. They are a mini-lesson in 19^th century arms development on their own.  [sr] [ph:L]

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