Confederate carbines

[Rogge]

Hi guys , i am thinking of buying a Smiths carbine here in Sweden . There is a name carved in the Wood . I am born curious so of course i searched this name in the register of civil war soldiers. There is only one match and that name was in the confederate cavalry . I know that the north didnt sell weapons to the south when the war came . I know it can never be proved that it belonged to that confederate guy but as i said i am born curious I read something about they suspect that 300 smiths were sold to the south before the war started but it could not be one of those because i think this is made 1861 . Does anyone know what weapons confederate cavalry used?

 

[JOHN42768]

A couple of possible answers for you. Initials/name carved after war era. Many weapons were recovered after battles , sent for repair and then reissued to Southern troops. Just to throw a couple out for consideration

 

[S.Isaacson]

The Confederates used a wide array of weaponry, including captured Union carbines. The Smithsonian National Museum of American History states: "A large number of Smiths were captured and used by Confederate cavalry early in the war" though I am not sure how they are substantiating that claim.

 

[UCVRelics]

You have to keep in mind that the CS didn't like having yankee carbines as they could not get ammo for them.

 

[Rogge]

There Will never be an answer for this question but of course the name could be carved after the war . I am thinking the same , ammo to these must have been difficult in the south.

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

We would like to see some photos of your carbine, and especially that names there are several databases available and they can yield varying results

 

[RedRover]

Would recommend to consider purchasing the Smith carbine itself and not get too caught up in missing wood carved out of the stock shaped like a name, that might be of a Confederate soldier or veteran; or, of course, might not be.

Large numbers of these guns became private property after the war, to who ever wanted one, and perfectly free to carve their initials or names in the stocks.

Washington, DC, Evening Star, Nov. 14, 1867.

From the Evening Bulletin, Providence, Rhode Island, Nov. 1, 1901.

And owners of them are still free to carve whatever they want in the stocks.

 

[52ndFandS]

Made too late in.the war I think the Tallahassee Carbine was a move toward a southern made weapon.

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

Would recommend to consider purchasing the Smith carbine itself and not get too caught up in missing wood carved out of the stock shaped like a name, that might be of a Confederate soldier or veteran; or, of course, might not be.

Large numbers of these guns became private property after the war, to who ever wanted one, and perfectly free to carve their initials or names in the stocks.

Washington, DC, Evening Star, Nov. 14, 1867.

View attachment 523771

From the Evening Bulletin, Providence, Rhode Island, Nov. 1, 1901.

View attachment 523770


And owners of them are still free to carve whatever they want in the stocks

If new and unused Smith carbines were a available for a dollar in 1901, you can see why we still find them with lots of finish and crisp bores!

 

[Rogge]

I am pretty sure what it says but would be nice with a second opinion.

 

[Rogge]

Would recommend to consider purchasing the Smith carbine itself and not get too caught up in missing wood carved out of the stock shaped like a name, that might be of a Confederate soldier or veteran; or, of course, might not be.

Large numbers of these guns became private property after the war, to who ever wanted one, and perfectly free to carve their initials or names in the stocks.

Washington, DC, Evening Star, Nov. 14, 1867.

View attachment 523771

From the Evening Bulletin, Providence, Rhode Island, Nov. 1, 1901.

View attachment 523770


And owners of them are still free to carve whatever they want in the stocks.

 

[Rogge]

I am buying it because i really want a Smiths carbine, the name is secondary.

 

[JOHN42768]

I'm guessing J.L. Raney

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

I've seen this sort of stamping in the wood of more than a few old arms. I've heard it called a "laundry stamp" that was common and cheap to buy, and because the letters, made of metal, could be used to stamp into wood as well as stamp ink onto clothing.
I've never tried to find old ads offering these, but I bet they exist

 

[Rogge]

I've seen this sort of stamping in the wood of more than a few old arms. I've heard it called a "laundry stamp" that was common and cheap to buy, and because the letters, made of metal, could be used to stamp into wood as well as stamp ink onto clothing.
I've never tried to find old ads offering these, but I bet they exist

Intresting , so how do you stamp wood? It doesnt look burned but it must be heated letters? I agree it looks to good to be carved by hand. I have never seen this stamp on a weapon before

 

[RedRover]

Intresting , so how do you stamp wood? It doesnt look burned but it must be heated letters? I agree it looks to good to be carved by hand. I have never seen this stamp on a weapon before

Perhaps a common steel name stamp.

 

[Rogge]

I've seen this sort of stamping in the wood of more than a few old arms. I've heard it called a "laundry stamp" that was common and cheap to buy, and because the letters, made of metal, could be used to stamp into wood as well as stamp ink onto clothing.
I've never tried to find old ads offering these, but I bet they exist

Do you know what era stampings like this were common? 18 or 1900 ?

 

[Rogge]

Perhaps a common steel name stamp.

View attachment 524099View attachment 524100

I dont think you can stamp wood this way , it must be heated or some cemical

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

I've owned at least half a dozen arms stamped in this way, and seen in person or in photos at least two dozen more.
They are all stamped same font, same size, and with with a "gang" stamp, not with individual letter stamps. I think they have all been a letter with period after it and then the last name.

 

[RedRover]

I dont think you can stamp wood this way , it must be heated or some cemical