Cosmopolitan Carbine
Cosmopolitan Arms Company · Carbine · Discontinued · 1862
Also known as: Cosmopolitan, Union Carbine, Grapevine Carbine, Ohio Carbine, Gross Carbine
Overview
The Cosmopolitan Carbine is a single-shot, breech-loading percussion carbine produced during the American Civil War by the Cosmopolitan Arms Company of Hamilton, Ohio. Chambered in .52 caliber, it loaded a combustible paper or linen cartridge through a breechblock that was lowered by dropping the distinctive double-loop trigger-guard lever, with ignition provided by a separate external percussion cap on a nipple above the breech. Roughly 1,140 were delivered to Illinois cavalry units in 1862, and the design is noted for being reliable and delivered on schedule even though it was never among the war's most numerous cavalry carbines.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3500 g (123.5 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1000 mm (39.37") |
| Barrel Length | 558 mm (21.97") |
| Action Type | Falling Block |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Muzzle Velocity | 290 m/s (951 fps) |
| Effective Range | 180 m (197 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 900 m (984 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .52 Caliber Percussion · primary — also known as .52 cal, .52 caliber combustible cartridge, .52 paper cartridge
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot Breech
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Octagonal Barrel, Dropping Breechblock, Double Loop Lever, Folding Rear Sight, Saddle Ring
Service history
Operators
- Union Army · adopted 1862
- Illinois Cavalry Regiments · adopted 1862
Conflicts
- American Civil War (1861-1865)
Production
Estimated total produced: 8,200 · Production years: 1862-1865
Approximately 8,200 Cosmopolitan and successor Gwyn & Campbell carbines were produced in total; about 1,140 early Cosmopolitan-pattern carbines went to Illinois units in 1862.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Henry Gross
Discontinued: 1865
Notes
The double-loop enclosed lever earned the carbine its 'Grapevine' nickname. The original breechblock was patented by Henry Gross in 1859; Gwyn and Campbell later simplified the design, which evolved into the closely related Gwyn & Campbell (Union) carbine.
Background
Designed and patented by Henry Gross in 1859, the Cosmopolitan was manufactured in Hamilton, Ohio, by Edward Gwyn and Abner Campbell. After fielding the original design they simplified the breechblock and patented the improvement, in effect displacing Gross from his own invention and evolving the carbine into the Gwyn & Campbell pattern.