Gallager Cavalry Carbine / SOLD
Gallager Cavalry Carbine - Inventory Number: RIF 067 / SOLD
Manufactured by Richardson & Overman - .50 Caliber
An nice example of a single shot, breech loading, .50
caliber, percussion model Gallagher carbine 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. From its factory
location at 12th and Thompson St in Philadelphia, the firm produced almost
18,000 of these carbines for the Federal government from 1861 to 1865. These
carbines saw extended service with Union horse soldiers 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. The Gallager featured a breech
loading mechanism which consisted of a lever / trigger guard combination that
when pushed down, allowed the barrel to slide forward and tilt up and away from
the barrel. Though Gallager boasted that his design would facilitate the easy
removal of the spent casing from the breech, this extraction action was the
major defect of his weapon.
This specimen bears serial #14,069 and features a 22¼” long
round barrel, with a total length of 39½”. Fitted with a sling bar with saddle
ring on the left side of the breech frame, the carbine also has a two-leaf rear
sight, iron blade front sight and a slightly curved butt plate. The round
barrel wears a light gray patina and is smooth overall. Bore is good. The
carbine is iron mounted with a receiver and barrel that appears to have been
cleaned. No original colors visible. Stamping “GALLAGER / PATENTED JULY 17TH
1860” & “MANUFACTD BY RICHASRDSON
AND OVERMAN PHILADA.”on lock plate in bold stamping.
Black walnut stock exhibits its original iron patchbox that retains a spare nipple inside. Stock is very good. No cartouches or sub-inspector stamping visible. Carbine exhibits good mechanics. A good example of the Gallager cavalry carbine of the Civil War.
Inventory Number: RIF 066 / SOLD