Description
Very early production carbine with sling ring and bar. Technically a First Model but with the sling bar—many of these were shipped WITHOUT the bar and several hundred were shipped back to Smith for modification to add the bar—this example doesn’t have the sling loops as often found. The bore is excellent but the mainspring is either broken, is missing, or slipped off the pawl as the hammer has no tension (but functions fine). It is also noted that the two trigger guard tang screws are NOT original—no clue when they were added or changed. This is a very pleasing weapon overall and priced well below current market. Unless you intend to shoot it, it’s ready to hang on your wall. There is one stress crack near the point where the stock meets the receiver, as shown, and moderate wear on the wood above the area, perhaps from the use of a cord sling (known used by several West Virginia cavalry units) instead of the standard over the shoulder sling. The serial number falls between two known examples as validated by Springfield Research Service:
#3737 Company A , 1st Connecticut Volunteer Cavalry
#3762 Company H, 2nd West Virginia Volunteer Cavalry
