Assistance with rifle identification

Cullen

Cadet
Joined
Aug 23, 2025
Hello, I am new to this site and I'm happy to be here. I recently acquired a rifle that I need help identifying. I was told that this particular rifle would have been used by a Union soldier on horseback. Can someone offer some assistance in identifying exactly what I've purchased? Specifically, what year it was made? How made it? And any other anecdotical information. I've attached some pictures. What is not pictured is the folding rear site. Thank you in advance and I'm looking forward to the responses.

Union Rifle 2.jpg


Union Rifle 1.jpg


Union Rifle 3.jpg
 
First, welcome from the Fort Sumter and the Fredericksburg forums.

That's a Gwyn & Campbell carbine, also known as the "Grapevine Carbine" due to the snake like curves in the trigger guard lever and long hammer. One of some 4,200 carbines produced, the .52 caliber, percussion breech-loading carbine was developed for the Ohio State Cavalry in 1862 by businessmen Edward Gwyn and partner Abner C. Campbell, both of Hamilton, Ohio. The type II is more commonly encountered than the scarce Type I, which had a more "serpentine" shape, an had lock screws that attached from the right side of the lock plate. The U.S. Ordnance Dept. granted over a dozen contracts to Gwyn & Campbell for a total of 8,202 carbines of both types. A number of Federal cavalry units were armed with the G & C carbine and included the 3rd Wisconsin; 2nd and 3rd Iowa; 2nd & 3rd Arkansas; 5th and 8th Ohio; 5th, 6th and 16th Illinois along with other Civil War units.
 
Hello, I am new to this site and I'm happy to be here. I recently acquired a rifle that I need help identifying. I was told that this particular rifle would have been used by a Union soldier on horseback. Can someone offer some assistance in identifying exactly what I've purchased? Specifically, what year it was made? How made it? And any other anecdotical information. I've attached some pictures. What is not pictured is the folding rear site. Thank you in advance and I'm looking forward to the responses.

View attachment 558673

View attachment 558674

View attachment 558675
This will give you a LOT more info.
G&C carbine.png
 
Might want to state what you paid so folks here can tell you if you got a great deal or taken to the Cleaners! That way ask before buying or do your research so not to be ripped off.
 

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