Gwyn & Campbell Carbine Type I .52 Cal. 20″ Percussion Rifle, Antique
SOLD FOR: $1,025.00
LSB: LSB260622FM246
Make: Cosmopolitan Arms Company
Model: Carbine Type I (aka Cosmopolitan, Union Rifle, & Grapevine)
Serial Number: 5004
Year of Manufacture: 1863 / ATF Classification: Antique
Caliber/Gauge: .52 caliber linen or paper cartridge containing black powder and a separate, external percussion cap nipple
Action Type: Single-shot, lever-actuated falling-block, breech-loading
Barrel Length: 20″
Sights/Optics: Fixed triangular front sight and a short-base folding ladder (leaf) rear sight.
Grip/Stock Configuration & Condition: The refinished stock is one-piece wood featuring a slightly curved wrist, a straight comb, and a smooth steel semi-crescent buttplate. The buttplate has heavy pitting and patina. The furniture shows scattered drag lines, pressure dings, and scuffs. The LOP measures 14.5″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. There is a crack on the right side of the wrist and another running from the upper tang. The furniture rates in Fair to Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue & case color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is dark and the rifling is very worn. There is heavy pitting and erosion throughout the bore. The bore rates 3/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 0% of its metal finish. The finish shows very heavy pitting, patina, edge wear, and oxidation. The screw heads show light to moderate tooling. Most of the markings are no longer visible due to the extensive wear. Overall, this rifle rates in Fair condition as an antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly and locks up surprisingly well considering the external wear. We did not fire this firearm. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: The Gwyn & Campbell Type I Carbine was one of the more distinctive breechloading cavalry arms used by Union forces during the American Civil War. It evolved from Henry Gross’s earlier Cosmopolitan design, which had been manufactured in Hamilton, Ohio by Edward Gwyn and Abner Campbell. After revisions to the breech mechanism, the improved arm was produced as the Gwyn & Campbell “Union Rifle.” Approximately 4,200 Type I carbines were purchased in 1863, followed by roughly 4,002 Type II carbines in 1864. The .52 caliber carbine used a combustible linen or paper cartridge containing the projectile and black powder, while ignition was provided by a separate percussion cap on an external nipple. The distinctive curved operating lever led to the enduring “Grapevine” nickname. This example, serial number 5004, retains the characteristic 20″ barrel and Civil War cavalry-carbine configuration.
This carbine retains essentially none, or about 0%, of its original blue and case-colored finish. The metal surfaces show very heavy pitting, extensive patina, oxidation, edge wear, and general age-related deterioration. The refinished one-piece stock rates in Fair to Good condition with scattered drag lines, pressure dings, and scuffs, along with a crack on the right side of the wrist and another extending from the upper tang. The buttplate shows heavy pitting and patina. The bore is dark with very worn rifling and heavy pitting and erosion throughout, rating 3/10. Despite the substantial exterior wear, the action functions correctly and locks surprisingly well. The screw heads show light to moderate tooling, while most of the original markings have been rendered faint or illegible by wear. Overall, this Gwyn & Campbell Type I Carbine rates in Fair condition as an Antique. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids!
-CR