Breechldrs Gallagher Carbine Acquired

Texas Johnny

Corporal
Joined
Jan 29, 2019
Location
Texas
I intended the New Frontier Firearms Show in Dallas this weekend. Mostly Western firearms, lots of Winchesters, and memorabilia. There were at least two ACW dealers including Rebel Relics (Brian Atkins) and College Hill Arsenal (Tim Prince). I collect ACW carbines and Tim had a .50 caliber Gallagher with a good price on it. Since I didn't own a Gallagher it beckoned me to take it home and I did. It has a serial # of 13259, which Tim said he thought that number was around the time Gallagher carbines were issued to the 4th Tennessee Cavalry U.S. It was the sixth most purchased carbine by the U.S. Ordnance Department with a total of 22,728 purchased. The initial cartridge was of paper and foil, but due to gas leakage it was a nearly complete failure. It was replaced with a brass tube similar to the Burnside with a hole in the base. Early on the Gallagher was infamous for problems in removing the spent cartridge. To try to remedy the problem, a special combination tool was eventually issued with each Gallagher carbine to help with the extraction, unfortunately mine doesn't have the tool, although it does has a spare nipple in its' patch box. In 1864 with many complaints and 17,000 Gallagher carbines in U.S. service, the Ordnance Department approved additional cartridges for use with the Gallagher carbine, including the Poultney cartridge. in March of 1865 the U.S. Ordnance Department issued a contract to manufacture 5,000 Gallagher carbines adapted to fire the Spencer 56-52 rim fire metallic cartridge. To make this change a firing pin was installed in place of the percussion nipple and they also added a spent cartridge ejector. These Gallagher carbines were not delivered until May of 1865.

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Lock Plate Engraving and Serial Number.jpg
 
Very Nice Gallager and you can't go wrong with Tim, the other dealer not so much as I would not trust him as far as I could throw him. Tim, is close they were issued to the Tenn 4th Mounted Infantry.

12928 082064CO A 4TH TENN MTD INF
13016 082064CO A 4TH TENN MTD INF
13060 082064CO A 4TH TENN MTD INF
13088 082064CO A 4TH TENN MTD INF
14573 082064CO A 4TH TENN MTD INF
 
Very Nice Gallager and you can't go wrong with Tim, the other dealer not so much as I would not trust him as far as I could throw him. Tim, is close they were issued to the Tenn 4th Mounted Infantry.

12928 082064CO A 4TH TENN MTD INF
13016 082064CO A 4TH TENN MTD INF
13060 082064CO A 4TH TENN MTD INF
13088 082064CO A 4TH TENN MTD INF
14573 082064CO A 4TH TENN MTD INF
Thank you UCVRelics! I greatly appreciate the serial number information. Perhaps I heard Tim wrong, thinking cavalry when he said Mounted Infantry. Thanks again!
 
Nice Gallager percussion. John MacAuley's book puts the serial around July/August 1863. Mine is just before the switch to RF
Thank you JOHN42768! I was curious if you have the gun tool that was produced to help with the cartridge removal? I found a reproduction at Lodgewood (currently out of stock). I assume their reproduction is a correct representation of the original tool?
 
Mornin' Texas Johnny,
I was Tim's table helper at the show when you bought the Gallager.
It was a pleasure meeting you, and you got a very nice carbine. Gallagers are hard to find with any "condition" left on 'em. Congrats.
Dave
Oh my, so sorry I didn't know that was you! I would have loved to talked with you, as I always really enjoy what you post here! I hope that you all did well at the show and have a safe journey home.
 
The show was a bit disappointing on the antique gun side, but I did snag a Type 1, Va. Manfg. cavalry saber, in remarkable condition. Most of them are cut shorrter or in terrible condition. That made the trip well worth the time.
What's your next show event?
D
Glad you were able to find the saber. I mainly just look for shows/auctions in Texas, except I usually do the Franklin show, of course not in 2020. Hope they have it in 2021. If you are ever out this direction again, please give me a holler.
 
Thank you JOHN42768! I was curious if you have the gun tool that was produced to help with the cartridge removal? I found a reproduction at Lodgewood (currently out of stock). I assume their reproduction is a correct representation of the original tool?
No I do not have any specific tool for it. I looked in Stephen Dorsey's " Gun Tools: Theie History and Identification" and found nothing. Here are a couple photos of mine.
1614535274115.jpeg
1614535308590.jpeg
 
Beautiful. I'll have to check the serial number on mine. Plans to shoot it? Would like to hear a range report. Here's an interesting article on the Gallagers:

 
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Beautiful. I'll have to check the serial number on mine. Plans to shoot it? Would like to hear a range report. Here's an interesting article on the Gallagers:

Thank you! No current plans to shoot it, may give it a try in the future. Thanks for the article link, I had not seen that one.
 
any one have any info, on how to load the odd looking round, what type of bullet, and, BP. powder load? any and all info would be appreaciated. where would I get brass cases for it. yes I have one. and it does not seem to have an extractor, how are the cases extracted after firing? thanks.
 
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