Phoenix Arms Gibbs Carbine

Percussion-Based, Breech-Loaded, Single-Shot Carbine [ 1862 ]

Like other useful carbine weapons of the period, the Gallager Carbine was sure to find takers in the American Civil War.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 09/08/2016 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

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The need for viable small arms in the American Civil War (1861-1865) was such that many model types from a plethora of designers and manufacturers were eventually taken on in both great and small numbers. The Gibbs Carbine was one of the latter with just 1,052 units reportedly produced of the intended 10,000 for Union (Federal) forces. W.F. Brooks and W.W. Marsden owned the Phoenix Arms Factory in New York that manufactured the handy weapon but the destruction of the factory during the 1863 Draft Riots (July 13th - 16th, 1863, New York) severely limited the carbine's reach in the war - making it one of the rarest firearms of the Civil War period.

In the Gibbs design, the trigger guard acted as the lever to give access to the chamber for loading/reloading. The barrel was tilted upwards to provide access and a cartridged bullet (.52) inserted. The carbine was a single-shot design and a percussion cap was required to ignite the propellant charge contained in the cartridge. The cap was set atop a nipple along the right side of the body. The flintlock-style hammer was found nearby. Like other weapons of the period, the Gibbs Carbine used a single-piece wooden stock that incorporated the shoulder stock as well as a short forend. The barrel, of 22 inch length, protruded just a short distance ahead of the wood work.

Both early and late model patterns emerged during the war with slight variations between them. Carbine rifles found popularity in the war when it was found that true long guns were cumbersome and unwieldy by troopers - particularly scouts and those operating on horseback. Close quarters battles were better found with shorter guns that could be maneuvered into action in short order.©MilitaryFactory.com

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Specifications

Service Year

1862

Origin

United States

Classification

Percussion-Based, Breech-Loaded, Single-Shot Carbine

Phoenix Arms Factory (New York) - USA

(View other Arms-Related Manufacturers)

United States

(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)

Overall Length

760 mm
29.92 in

Barrel Length

558 mm
21.97 in

Sights

Iron

Action

Single-Shot; Breech-Loaded; Percussion Cap

Percussion Cap
Utilizes the percussion cap system of operation to actuate ignition of propellant; much like a child's cap gun, small explosive caps are set upon nipples and these are actuated by a falling hammer previously cocked.

(Material presented above is for historical and entertainment value and should not be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation - always consult official manufacturer sources for such information)

Caliber(s)*

.52

Rounds / Feed

Single-Shot

*May not represent an exhuastive list; calibers are model-specific dependent, always consult official manufacturer sources.
**Graphics not to actual size; not all cartridges may be represented visually; graphics intended for general reference only.

Rate-of-Fire

3
rds/min

Gibbs Carbine - Base Series Name; production yielding approximately 1,052 examples.

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Infantry Small Arms / The Warfighter

Phoenix Arms Gibbs Carbine

Percussion-Based, Breech-Loaded, Single-Shot Carbine [ 1862 ]

Like other useful carbine weapons of the period, the Gallager Carbine was sure to find takers in the American Civil War.

Specifications