A total of 30,362 Smith carbines were reportedly purchased by the United States government during the Civil War. Smith carbines were considered to be one of the most important Federal Cavalry carbines and were known to be accurate and reliable weapons. Nearly all of the Smith carbines manufactured were issued to Union cavalry units and saw hard use during the Civil War, and somehow this example appears to have remained essentially in "as issued" condition. It has standard markings and features, "L.F.R" inspection initials on the left of the breech, "H.D.H." on the bottom of the forearm, "JH" inspection initials ahead of the buttplate, and a crisp oval script "JH" inspection cartouche stamped on the left of the wrist.