This Palmer carbine is a bolt action, single-shot, .50 caliber rimfire carbine made by the E. G. Lamson Company of Windsor, Vermont. One of an estimated quantity of 1,001 produced, this carbine was the first bolt action metallic cartridge firearm accepted by the US Ordnance Department for issuance to the service. The Lamson Company gained its contract for the Palmer carbine after the war in June 1865 and the arm was never issued to the troops. This carbine is in very excellent condition, as are most of the Palmers found. The firearm had a bolt action operation that used a short handled bolt at the rear of the breech that when pulled back and opened, exposed the chamber for loading the rimfire round.

A 20” barrel is secured to the stock via a single barrel band. Barrel bluing has turned to a pleasing dark plum patina overall.  Rifled bore is mint.  Vivid case colors on the lockplate and hammer, as well as on the lockplate screws.  Lockplate stamped with “U.S. / E. G. LAMSON.  & CO.  / WINDSOR. VT” in front of hammer. Stamped “1865” behind the hammer. Receiver bolt marked on top with “Wm. PALMER / PATENT  / DEC. 22, 1863”. Stamping strong and easily readable. A deep government inspector cartouche (MM) found on the left flat of the stock opposite the hammer along with a small sub-inspector’s ‘mm”. All screws are in excellent condition. Very fine original wood stock retains almost all of its feathering effect but does have a few dings and scuffmarks from handling and storage.  This is a very fine condition Palmer carbine.

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