Smith Carbine

Smith Carbine

<< >>
Usage conditions apply
Downloads
Description (Brief)
The Smith Carbine was a.50-caliber breech loader that fired a hard rubber cartridge. Depressing the latch in the trigger guard allowed the barrel to tilt forward for loading. They were manufactured by American Machine Works, the Massachusetts Arms Co., and the American Arms Company. Nearly all of the 31,000 Smith Carbines produced during the Civil War were purchased by the U.S. government. A large number of Smiths were captured and used by Confederate cavalry early in the war.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
carbine
carbine, percussion
Other Terms
carbine; Firearms; Percussion Fire;.50 In; Rifled; 02; 03
date made
ca 1862
patentee
Smith, Gilbert
maker
Massachusetts Arms Company
place made
United States
Measurements
overall, carbine: 38 1/4 in x 2 1/4 in; 97.155 cm x 5.715 cm
ID Number
AF.32698
catalog number
32698
accession number
69413
serial number
10601
Credit Line
U.S. Military Service Institute
subject
Firearms
related event
Civil War
See more items in
Political and Military History: Armed Forces History, Military
Civil War
Military
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Nominate this object for photography.   

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.

Comments

I own a Smith carbine, S/N: 20,913. How would I proceed to determine what Calvary Unit it was issued to?

Fred Vasconi

Mon, 2018-08-27 08:38

I have a Smith Carbine, Serial Number 20854, Any information on when the gun would have been manufactured?

Michael Rees

Thu, 2017-07-13 07:49

Note: Comment submission is temporarily unavailable while we make improvements to the site. We apologize for the interruption. If you have a question relating to the museum's collections, please first check our Collections FAQ. If you require a personal response, please use our Contact page.