Smith Carbine question

[Cannonman1]

I have a Smith Carbine (American Machine Works) serial numbered 1703.. Macauley's reference work on Carbines of the Civil War lists this as likely the second month of production of AMW.. October of 1863. Many of the AMW Carbines were not issued but I figure being this early in the production, the chances were pretty good it was. It survived in very nice condition.. What do you all think??

 

[JOHN42768]

Very nice looking. There was a total around 31000 made with the last 8000 not delivered until 1865. The carbine was well received, why do you feel many were not issued? A photo of my best one ser.#7908:

 

[UCVRelics]

Very Nice Smith. We would love to see more photos. I recall that there were 10 cases of them found I believe at Ft Carson back in the 1940's.

 

[Cannonman1]

I know a lot of Smiths appeared after the war and still do in unissued condition and were sold as surplus in "new condition" Seems logical with the Spencer replacing so many carbines in the field.... I had read an article earlier today about thousands of them never being issued.. Will have to backtrack and find that.

 

[JOHN42768]

I know a lot of Smiths appeared after the war and still do in unissued condition and were sold as surplus in "new condition" Seems logical with the Spencer replacing so many carbines in the field.... I had read an article earlier today about thousands of them never being issued.. Will have to backtrack and find that.

This is why I mention the 8000 in 1865 that may very well have not been issued.

 

[WJC]

I think it is a beautiful piece! Congratulations!

 

[3rd North Carolina]

very nice looking carbine

 

[hrobalabama]

The Gilbert Smith carbine is one of my favorites. It seemed to be the easiest to be loaded from horseback. I have a reference to them before the war started. In South Carolina, Langdon Cheeves II had ordered some Colt Revolvers and stated if they did not come in he could get some Gilbert Smith "rifles." This was to protect the rice plantations in the Charleston area. I had one of the Colt revolvers that was in the shipment to Graveley & Pringle in Charleston before the firing on Ft. Sumter.