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Smith Carbine

History of the Smith Carbine

The American Civil War (1861-1865) highlighted the need to modernize existing flintlock firearms as well as the need for new pikes and carbines on both sides. As a result, many gun manufacturers tried to secure government contracts, which resulted in a flood of designs during this period. An example of this is the Smith Carbine, which was designed a few years before the Great Conflict and mass-produced throughout.

The design comes from a patent work done by a certain Gilbert Smith.

The design of the Smith Carbine took place in 1857, following a successful official U.S. Army trial. It was designed as a carbine weapon and was therefore intentionally shorter and lighter than the typical service rifle of the era.

As a result, guns (and others like them) became an asset to cavalry units that needed compact weapons in order to be able to use them in time to engage mounted or dismounted units.

The final gun weighed 7.5 pounds, was 39.5 inches long, and had a 21.6-inch barrel. It fires .50 Smith cartridges through a break-action, breech-loading assembly located at the receiving end. Aiming is via a block/single blade sight coupled to the front of the blade. The shoulder rest, grips and front rest are all made of wood, while the mechanic used a higher tolerance metal. The barrel is exposed along the length of the front end and sticks out of it.

The hammer is on the right side of the slider, and the trigger is below the slider as usual.