Lot 76

Excellent Civil War Era E. G. Lamson & Co. Palmer Carbine

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Excellent Civil War Era E. G. Lamson & Co. Palmer Carbine

Estimate: $5,500 - $7,500

Starting Bid: $4,750

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
June 27, 2026 5:00 PM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Excellent Civil War Era E. G. Lamson & Co. Palmer Bolt Action Saddle Ring Carbine Firearms advanced rapidly in the 19th century from primarily single shot flintlocks at the beginning of the century to repeating centerfire designs, including machine guns, by the end of the century. Along the way there were many significant firsts, including the Palmer carbine which holds the distinction of being the first metallic cartridge bolt action firearm ever adopted by the U.S. Ordnance Department, setting the stage for later iconic U.S. military rifles such as the Krag-Jorgensen, 1903 Springfield, and a series of bolt action sniper rifles. It was designed by William R. Palmer of New York and patented on December 22, 1863. Unlike later bolt actions, the Palmer carbine's bolt does not contain a firing pin and is instead used to seat the cartridge and seal the breech. It is fired with a traditional side lock with a hammer that strikes the cartridge rim. Only approximately 1,001 of these carbines were ordered on contract late in the Civil War in .56-50 Spencer. They were produced by E. G. Lamson & Co. of Windsor, Vermont. The company had previously been Lamson, Goodnow & Yale and had produced rifle-muskets earlier in the war, and they also produced 1,000 Ball Repeating Carbines. Some of the Palmer carbines were purchased by the French government during the Franco-Prussian War. This incredible example has a rounded blade front sight, notch and folding leaf rear sight graduated out to 500 yards, "Wm PALMER/PATENT/DEC. 22. 1863" marked on top, "U.S./E.G. LAMSON. & CO./WINDSOR. VT" marked on the vibrantly casehardened lock, "P" marked on the hammer, trigger plate, and buttplate; small "M.M" (Miles Moulton) inspection initials on the barrel to the left of the rear sight, left stock flat, and ahead of the buttplate tang; and a circled script "MM" inspection cartouche stamped on the left stock flat.

Manufacturer: E.G. Lamson & Co.

Model: Palmer Carbine

BBL: 20 inch round

Stock: walnut

Gauge: 56-50

Finish: blue/casehardened

Serial NumberNSN

Class: Antique

  • Condition: Excellent with 99% original blue finish on the barrel, 95% plus vibrant original case colors on the lock and hammer, 75% case colors visible on the bolt handle, trigger guard, lower tang, and buttplate with some areas of fading; a few minor handling marks, and patches of light pitting visible on the lower tang. The stock is also excellent with attractive original raised grain, defined edges, a few minor dents, and exceptionally crisp cartouche and stampings. Mechanically excellent. This excellent example of a scarce Palmer carbine would make a great addition to any U.S. martial collection!

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000