The Galleries
- Robert E. Petersen Collection
- Ancient Firearms - 1350 to 1700
- Road to American Liberty - 1700 to 1780
- A Prospering New Republic - 1780 to 1860
- A Nation Asunder - 1861 to 1865
- The American West - 1850 to 1900
- Innovation, Oddities and Competition
- Theodore Roosevelt and Elegant Arms - 1880s to 1920s
- World War I and Firearms Innovation
- WWII, Korea, Vietnam and Beyond - 1940 to Present
- For the Fun of It
- Modern Firearms - 1950 to Present
- Hollywood Guns
American Machine Works Smith Breechloading Carbine
This is one of more than 30,000 Smith carbines purchased by the Federal government. SN 6927
1857 Smith (U.S.) Percussion Cartridge Carbine (single-shot/
breech-loading/ black powder/ cartridge ammunition)
Patented by Gilbert Smith of New York, approximately 30,000 of
these carbines were manufactured for United States military
service. Single-shot, they are loaded by depressing a latch
directly in front of the trigger, which releases their barrel so
that it pivots downward to present its open breech. A brass
cartridge containing powder and ball could then be inserted.
Carbines were used mostly by mounted troops, and were equipped with
a sling swivel that was mounted on the left side of the breech.
This .50 caliber percussion carbine was a standard for its time.
Nevertheless, the Civil War would bring new standards to all U.S.
armament. The evolution of firearms is strongly affected by war,
which brings many new technological innovations. The Civil War was
no exception.
- Dr. William L. Roberts, THE AMERICAN LIBERTY COLLECTION; #66