"Original breech loading .50 caliber, percussion Gallagher carbine as issued to the Federal cavalry during the Civil War. Mahlon J. Gallagher, a South Carolina native, developed the weapon while he resided in Savannah, Georgia in July 1860. Subsequently the Philadelphia firm of Richardson and Overman obtained the rights to manufacture Gallager’s product via several contracts with the U.S. Ordnance Department. These carbines saw extensive service with the Union cavalry during the war but the weapon was not well liked by the troopers due to the difficulty in extracting the spent cartridge casings from the breech."-Wikipedia

This is a fine looking weapon! It is a nice looking Civil War cavalry carbine of the Gallagher patent. This one had a distinctive appearance because they were made without the fore stock that most guns of the time had. When you drop the trigger guard down it moves the whole barrel forward for loading or removing the metallic cartridge. This worked well if you were steadied on the ground but imagine if you were on horseback. One special thing about this one is that it is one of the only 5,000 that were chambered at the factory so it would fire the 56-52 Spencer cartridge. This was because the Spencer cartridge was more readily available and also was easier to remove the casing from the barrel after the bullet was shot. The barrel if the gun still has a nice bore and you can see all of the lands and grooves. This one is 100% complete and fully functional. It has serial numbers of 19,559. As you can see it has an attractive overall appearance with a nice attic patina all over. The action works crisply on all positions. The original rear sight is nicely intact on the back of the barrel and it has the blade sight still intact. The walnut wood stock has a very pleasing dark tone all over. These guns are also popular because of the style that has the iron patchbox on the shoulderstock. On the reverse of the stock it has the saddle bar and ring present and accounted for. Deeply stamped in the stock behind the saddle bar is the crystal clear "WHB" inspector mark for the inspector William H. Barber. This lets us know that the gun was made for the military and not a civilian model. This is a very attractive complete Civil War Gallagher cavalry carbine in the Spencer cartridge configuration. The initials, "H.C." are carved in the stock.  Serial number 16263.

A unique historical firearm for the unique gun collector!

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