Here's an interesting original Smith carbine in good, shootable condition.
This carbine features some interesting camp art on the butt stock. The letters "S. C." are carved on to the left side. These initials likely stand for "South Carolina" making this a Southern-captured weapon. Now, I'll be the first to admit that it is impossible to date stock carvings and determine whether they were applied during or after the war. However, the evidence surrounding this enigmatic "S.C" carving certainly seems to point South. For one, the "S" is carved backwards, meaning it was applied by a person who was functionally illiterate. Considering the percentage of illiterate adults in the United States during the 1860's was as high as 30% by some estimates, but had dropped to only 13% by 1890, it stands to reason that the carving is at least from the period; rather than being made by a bored farmer during the 20th Century.
Additionally, cavalry carbines were in high demand by the Southern states. In fact, in 1864, the Confederate government even issued an order that said the army would pay a premium to civilians for carbines recovered from battlefields. Union supply trains were also targeted by Confederate cavalry and raided for weapons, and a number of Smith carbines have been documented with Southern-captured provenance.
Finally, South Carolina was one of only a few Southern states to stamp "surcharge markings" on its weapons. Surcharged weapons bear the initials of the state to which they belong, as a way to prevent state property from being lost as a result of being issued into general circulation. South Carolina-surcharged weapons are well documented; the most well known being the surcharged Enfield muskets that were purchased by the state early in the war.
Given this circumstanstial evidence it is more likely than not that this carbine is indeed a Confederate-captured weapon. It appears as though this weapon was captured, either from a battlefield or a Union supply trained, by South Carolinian troops. Considering how valuable cavalry carbines were to the South, it certainly stands to reason that an "S.C." surcharge was carved in the field to prevent the weapon from disappearing among the other cavalry units in the Confederate army.
This Smith is in great condition and is all original from top to bottom. The action is smooth; holding solid on full and half cock. The lock up is very tight with no wiggle between the receiver and barrel.
The bore is good The rifling is strong and there is no major rust or pitting. The flash hole is nice and tight-not burnt out like so many other carbines.
The stocks are in good shape; although there is a repaired crack in the butt stock. The crack is stable and the stock is sound, but to avoid the risk of breaking such a historic stock; this carbines previous owner fitted a spare reproduction stock made of correct straight grained American walnut which we are including in this listing.
