These carbines were manufactured by Edward Gwyn and Abner C. Campbell in Ohio and are essentially updated versions of their prior Cosmopolitan carbines. They were issued in fairly large numbers to Union cavalry units operating in the Western Theater, including the 8th Iowa Cavalry, which received 2,007 Gwyn & Campbells in total and was mustered into service in Davenport, Iowa, just across the river from Rock Island Auction Company. This carbine was one of 3,500 total Type II's manufactured in 1864, when the 8th Iowa received 1,120 of them. This example has the standard Type II markings and features. Equipped with the 600 yard ladder rear sight, boxed script "WHR" inspection cartouche marked on the left of the stock wrist and "W.H.R." inspection initials marked ahead of the buttplate.

Fine, retaining 50% of the original blue finish on the barrel and patterns of silvered out case colors mostly concentrated on the receiver with smooth brown patina on the balance, gray patina on the lock, some patches of light pitting, and mostly distinct markings in the metal. Stock is fine as lightly sanded with some light handling marks and mostly clear markings. Mechanically excellent.