Original U.S. Civil War Smith Patent Saddle Ring Carbine by American Machine Works - Serial 9359 Antique Gun Parts which is why it has

which is why it has the smaller threaded hole in the center: it was intended to have an attached plate on the bottom

Hardly masking my astonishment

though there is definitely some haziness to the optics

all the troops were off the ship

The lock marked 1870 / ENFIELD together with a CROWN over V

Original U.S. Civil War Smith Patent Saddle Ring Carbine by American Machine Works - Serial 9359 Antique Gun Parts which is why it hasOriginal Item: Only One Available. The Smith Carbine was a 0. 50 caliber breech loading rifle patented by Gilbert Smith on June 23, 1857 and successfully completed the Military Trials of the late 1850s. It was used by various cavalry units during the American Civil War. It was unique in that it broke apart in the middle for loading, and that it used rubber cartridges which sealed the gases in the breech. The downside was that these cartridges were