.52 caliber smoothbore. 21" barrel secured by two flat barrel bands. NSN. Browned finish, color casehardened breech block, iron furniture, smooth walnut stock. Single shot percussion breechloading carbine with side mounted operating lever, fixed notch rear sight, blade front sight and 8.5" saddle bar and ring on reverse. Breech block marked in five lines "U.S / S. NORTH / MIDLTN / CONN / 1846" with an italicized block "JH" (John Hawkins) inspection mark on the right angled breech flat. No cartouches are noted, despite the crispness of the wood.

This final iteration of the Hall Carbine was produced by Simeon North circa 1843-1853 with some 10,500 of the guns being produced. Roughly half were modified by rifling them and reboring the breechblocks to accept .58 caliber ammunition during the early days of the Civil War, making unaltered specimens like this one somewhat uncommon, particularly one in such nice condition with a Mexican American War date on the breech block. {ANTIQUE}

Very Good+ to Near Fine. Bore moderately oxidized and dirty with some bright patches and with only some lightly scattered pitting. Metal with some of the thinning and faded brown intact, which has blended with a moderately oxidized brown patina that does have some lightly scattered surface roughness. Breech block with a dull smoky patina. Markings in metal are clear and crisp. No markings noted in wood. Action is mechanically functional. Wood fine and crisp with sharp edges and retaining some feathery grain texture. Wood with some scattered bumps, dings and mars, but without the usual Hall crack behind the breech block.