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Exceptional Rare U.S. Palmer Civil War Bolt Action Carbine

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:4,250.00 USD Estimated At:8,500.00 - 13,000.00 USD
Exceptional Rare U.S. Palmer Civil War Bolt Action Carbine
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Estimate: $8500 - 13000
This is a like new example of a rare U.S. Palmer Civil War carbine that was manufactured by E.G. Lamson & Co., of Windsor, Vermont, circa 1865. These carbines are significant in that they were the first metallic cartridge bolt-action weapon accepted by the Ordnance Department for issue to the U.S. Army. The Ordnance Department contracted the 1,001 Palmer carbines late in the Civil War. The carbines were delivered in June 1865, after the fighting ceased, thus were unissued. The Palmer carbine featured a short handle at the rear of the receiver; a quarter turn of the bolt handle unlocks the bolt and pulling it to the rear extracts the fired case and opens the chamber. The hammer is cocked manually before opening. The barrel is equipped with a blade front and folding two leaf rear sights. A sling bar and ring are attached to the left stock flat. The barrel was blue, the bolt is bright and the bolt handle, hammer, lock plate, barrel band, trigger guard, buttplate and sling bar casehardened. The lock plate is marked "U.S./E.G. LAMSON & CO." in front of the hammer and the lock is not dated. The top rear of the receiver is marked "Wm PALMER/PATENT/DEC. 22, 1863". A small "M.M." is stamped on the left rear side of the barrel next to the rear sight. Mounted with a smooth one piece oil finished straight grip stock with a carbine buttplate. The left flat is stamped with a sharp "MM" boxed cartouche, there is a small "MM" stamped on the left flat below the saddle ring bar and on top of the butt stock ahead of the buttplate tang. The buttplate tang is marked with a "P". There is also a "P" on the lower tang ahead of the trigger guard and on the trigger guard.
BBL: 20 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 50
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: NSN
Condition: Excellent plus. The barrel retains 99% plus original plum blue finish. The remaining parts retain 99% plus original bright case colors with some darkening on the trigger guard and a small amount of gray on the buttplate. The wood is also excellent plus with a few minor dings and pressure dents. As noted above the cartouche and stock markings are sharp. The markings on the metal are crisp and clear. Mechanically excellent. A spectacular example of a rare U.S. Palmer bolt action carbine.