Send us your own comments about this object.

Title:	CARBINE -  WARNER CARBINE REVOLVING .40
Maker/Manufacturer:	WARNER, JAMES
Date of Manufacture:	1849
Eminent Figure:
Catalog Number:	SPAR 7360
Measurements:	OL:102.2CM 40 1/4 BL: 55.2CM 21 3/4"

Object Description:

WARNER CARBINE REVOLVING .40
Manufactured by Springfield Arms Co., Springfield, Ma. in 1849 - Percussion, six-shot, revolving carbine. Made by James Warner in Springfield with total production estimated at 50 to 100. Cumbersome action as a result to circumvent Colt's patent. Part round, part octagonal barrel. Walnut stock with brass patch box and buttplate. Lever in front of trigger is for releasing cylinder lock and cylinder must then be rotated manually. Six shot with nipples in deep groove at 90 degrees to chambers. Cylinder locking lever does not extend through triggerguard as in other known specimens. Front end of cylinder pin appears to have been shortened a bit, and there appears to be a splice in the wood behind triggerguard.

No visible markings.

Weapon donated to the Springfield Armory NHS by Tufts University (Victor A. Friend Collection) on 3 August 1979.

Friend's # 9-2 "Warner Revolving Rifle. Made on the James Warner (Springfield, Mass.) patents of 1851, 1856, 1867. Percussion type, with cap nipples on side of cylinder rather than on end like the Colt. It was necessary to turn the cylinder by hand for each shot, with the small catch in front of the trigger guard holding the cylinder in position. The small brass patch box on the stock was used to carry extra percussion caps."

Notes: "SPRINGFIELD ARMS COMPANY. This is a new establishment, and one of much interest and importance. The building is situated a few rods above Rice's building. The articles manufactured are Warner's Patent Revolver pistols and carbines. They are the invention of James Warner, formerly of South Hadley, who is the agent of the company, and the arms are certainly among the simplest and most efficient of all revolvers yet invented. The first facts apparent in their construction are that they can be discharged with the same rapidity as Colt's, and with the same efficiency. They are also no less light and beautiful in construction, and Mr. Warner claims that they are more simple and of course less liable to get out of repair. Six discharges can be made in from 8 to 10 seconds. The building is furnished with $20,000 worth of new machinery, consisting of 15 engine lathes, planing machines, upright lathes, and all the appurtenances of a pistol factory. The number of hands employed is 60. The carbines are capital arms for deer and bear hunting at the West and South. The number of pistols turned out daily, some of which are finished in the highest style, is 26. We are glad to learn that the sale is so rapid that hardly a specimen can be kept for exhibition." - Springfield City Directory, 1851-1852.

References:
Flayderman, Norm. FLAYDERMAN'S GUIDE TO ANTIQUE AMERICAN FIREARMS...AND THEIR VALUES. 8th Ed. Krause Publications. Iola, Wi. 2001.
Hassell, Col. J. Alan. WARNER CIVIL WAR CAVALRY CARBINES. Thomas Publication. Gettysburg, Pa. 2000.