This Smith carbine was manufactured by American Machine Works in Springfield, Massachusetts, early in the Civil War. Most of these carbines were purchased by the government and issued to cavalry units. It utilized a special 50 caliber percussion cartridge which sealed the break action leading to higher pressure and thus velocity than the bullets fired from muzzle loading weapons. The carbine has a blue part round, part octagon barrel with dovetail mounted German silver front sight blade and folding leaf rear sight. The left side of the casehardened receiver is fitted with a sling bar and ring for a cavalry carbine sling. The stock and forearm are oil finished walnut. The Smith patent markings are stamped on the left side of the receiver under the sling bar. The three line Poultney & Trimble address is stamped near the top, and the three line American Machine Works address is located above the sling bar. The serial number is located on the two hinge components. The left side of the stock wrist is stamped with "JH" and "LFR" cartouches. "LFR" is stamped on the left barrel flat at the breech.