New carbine for the collection

kotkinjs1

Private
Joined
May 25, 2017
I think I lucked out and got a Gwyn and Campbell that was sold as a Type II but actually it's a Type I. I'd like to think that I got it comparatively for a steal but I'm sure anyone that knew anything at all about G&Cs knew exactly what the mistake was also. The only downside of this piece is that the hammer was replaced at some point a long time ago with a home-forged copy. It works well enough and is solid but is sadly just not as smooth and graceful as the original. I've read that the early hardening process 'left room for improvement' and the metal was resultingly weak and I suppose this one cracked/broke early on. Otherwise it's a numbers matching piece. Early 900 yd sight, lockup is tight as could be expected, and the faintest remnants of a cartouche. There seems to be only one good researched book on the G&Cs so I'll need to go find that online. I've read that there were just over 8000 and change of both the Type 1 and 2 produced (?) but I don't know if there's any breakdown known between numbers of the types. Is there any way based on SN to see if this was an issued piece like the SRS database perhaps?

I think it looks good and fits well in my collection. I've also got a sad little Ballard 44 carbine not shown because it's got a broken lever I fear I'll forever be trying to source a replacement for.

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Welcome to the G&C club!. I own two. I have a type1 long sight, SN 371 and a 2nd model type 2 SN 2783. The author of the book on G&C was Mr. Tom Rentschler. He owned a bank in Hamilton, Ohio (as you know, home of the G&C). First one I ever saw as a kid was one of his on display in the bank. He was a great guy.
On page 57 of his book he has a table with quantity,type and SN ranges


type 1, long site sold in 1863 are sn numbered between 1-4500. Type 1 w/short sight sold in May 64 and range between 4300-5150
Type 2, first model sold in Aug. 64 and Oct. 64 SN 1100-2500
Type 2, 2nd model Sold in Oct and Nov. 64 SN 2500-3900
Type 2 3rd ,pde;l sp;d Dec. 64 SN 3900-4600

Obviously there is a difference between sold and delivered or delivered and issued.

Now Cosmopolitans sold in June and July of 62 had an sn rng of 1-1500
Transistional types and maybe a few more pure Cosmopolitans sold Aug, Nov and Dec 62. Mr Rentschler has noted sn as uncertain.

The last factory site used to make the carbines is now a parking lot on High Street at the RR underpass.

The book is still sold by Mowbray publishers and is highly recommended as a detailed and well documented study. H
 
Very Nice G&C unfortunately the SRS does not have any G&C listed.
 
Good find! This site is a good place to start looking for a hammer. Drop S&S and Lodgewood a line as sometimes they have parts not listed on their web site. My Gwyn & Campbell came with a bent lever, missing main spring and missing sling ring bar. Thanks to help from this site she is back to normal. Also your lever screw has been replaced. Look at the photo of #1707 below and you will see how the lever rotates on a shaft of the screw not the threads. Good luck with a replacement hammer.
 
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