COLUMBUS ARMORY CARBINE.

COLUMBUS ARMORY CARBINE. SN 18. Cal. 58. This Capt. F. C. Humphries inspected carbine was probably a product of the Columbus Armory, though the lock is unmarked. Several Confederate carbines made by various makers in Columbus, Georgia and the surrounding area have similar features. Among these makers are J. P. Murray, Columbus Armory, Dickson & Nelson, and David & Bozeman. All these manufacturers shared similarly designed carbines and Mississippi-style rifles. All these makers normally marked their guns, with exception of the Columbus Armory, where only 2 or 3 marked specimens are known. Based on this information, we believe this unmarked gun to be a product of the Columbus Armory. Earlier literature usually identifies these guns as J. P. Murray. Bbl of this gun is inspected “PRO./F.C.H.” which is seen on known J. P. Murray and Columbus Armory weapons. Information on the Columbus Armory only recently has come to light in the marvelous book by John Murphy and Howard Madaus, Confederate Carbines and Musketoons. Murphy and Madaus, in their book, describe a letter from John D. Gray, of the Columbus Armory, describing his contract for 1,000 carbines. This carbine is like a J. P. Murray Type II carbine where the two known marked Columbus Armory are like the J. P. Murray Type I carbines. The difference between the Type I and Type II carbines is the double strap front band as opposed to 2 bands and a nosecap like the gun being offered here. Lock screws and tang screw are also serial numbered “18”. This gun is serial numbered “18” on hammer and inner surface of lockplate, consistent with the three known Columbus Armory marked locks. Bbl is marked “PRO./F.C.H.” consistent with the other Columbus Armory products. There is no number on bottom of bbl; however, there is a group of 3 dots. This bbl is also marked “ALA / 1864” which is not seen on either of the known Columbus Armory guns. Gun is complete and authentic, lacking only its rear sight. Mr. Michel’s Notes State: “The rifles and carbines produced by the partnership of Eldridge S. Greenwood and William C. Grey at Columbus, Georgia, share the same basic configuration, differing only in the barrel length. Manufactured under the apparently watchful eye of John P. Murray, superintendent and master armorer of the Greenwood and Grey facility, these weapons show a consistently high grade of workmanship. The barrel of the carbine is 23½ inches, marked “PRO” and “FCH” and held by two bands of the same type as the rifle. The stock ends in a brass nosecap. The lockplate of this carbine is unmarked, which is not unusual.” PROVENANCE: Ben Michel collection. CONDITION: Metal surfaces are all brown with scattered pittings. Bbl markings are deep and discernible. Inspector’s mark “FCH” is only visible when bbl is removed. Brass bands, nosecap, trigger guard, and buttplate are all cleaned and smooth. Stock is sound and solid with a visible repair around breech tang and behind lockplate. 4-31335 JS136 (10,000-15,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2007

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1005	$19,550.00	COLUMBUS ARMORY CARBINE. SN 18. Cal. 58. This Capt. F. C. Humphries inspected carbine was probably a product of the Columbus Armory, though the lock is unmarked. Several Confederate carbines made by various makers in Columbus, Georgia and the surrounding area have similar features. Among these makers are J. P. Murray, Columbus Armory, Dickson & Nelson, and David & Bozeman. All these manufacturers shared similarly designed carbines and Mississippi-style rifles. All these makers normally marked their guns, with exception of the Columbus Armory, where only 2 or 3 marked specimens are known. Based on this information, we believe this unmarked gun to be a product of the Columbus Armory. Earlier literature usually identifies these guns as J. P. Murray. Bbl of this gun is inspected “PRO./F.C.H.” which is seen on known J. P. Murray and Columbus Armory weapons. Information on the Columbus Armory only recently has come to light in the marvelous book by John Murphy and Howard Madaus, Confederate Carbines and Musketoons. Murphy and Madaus, in their book, describe a letter from John D. Gray, of the Columbus Armory, describing his contract for 1,000 carbines. This carbine is like a J. P. Murray Type II carbine where the two known marked Columbus Armory are like the J. P. Murray Type I carbines. The difference between the Type I and Type II carbines is the double strap front band as opposed to 2 bands and a nosecap like the gun being offered here. Lock screws and tang screw are also serial numbered “18”. This gun is serial numbered “18” on hammer and inner surface of lockplate, consistent with the three known Columbus Armory marked locks. Bbl is marked “PRO./F.C.H.” consistent with the other Columbus Armory products. There is no number on bottom of bbl; however, there is a group of 3 dots. This bbl is also marked “ALA / 1864” which is not seen on either of the known Columbus Armory guns. Gun is complete and authentic, lacking only its rear sight. Mr. Michel’s Notes State: “The rifles and carbines produced by the partnership of Eldridge S. Greenwood and William C. Grey at Columbus, Georgia, share the same basic configuration, differing only in the barrel length. Manufactured under the apparently watchful eye of John P. Murray, superintendent and master armorer of the Greenwood and Grey facility, these weapons show a consistently high grade of workmanship. The barrel of the carbine is 23½ inches, marked “PRO” and “FCH” and held by two bands of the same type as the rifle. The stock ends in a brass nosecap. The lockplate of this carbine is unmarked, which is not unusual.” PROVENANCE: Ben Michel collection. CONDITION: Metal surfaces are all brown with scattered pittings. Bbl markings are deep and discernible. Inspector’s mark “FCH” is only visible when bbl is removed. Brass bands, nosecap, trigger guard, and buttplate are all cleaned and smooth. Stock is sound and solid with a visible repair around breech tang and behind lockplate. 4-31335 JS136 (10,000-15,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2007 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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