Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! Here we have an E.G. Lamson & Co. Palmer carbine, one of approximately 1,001 delivered to the U.S. government in June 1865 – one month after Lee surrendered at Appomattox. This is one of America’s first military bolt-action designs. William Palmer designed this carbine featuring a bolt-action mechanism chambered in 50 rimfire. The bolt operated via an external lever on the right side of the receiver, using metallic cartridges when most Civil War troops still carried muzzleloaders or percussion breechloaders.
E.G. Lamson & Co. of Windsor, Vermont manufactured the full contract order, but delivered them after the war ended. The Army was demobilizing, and there was no immediate need for new weapons. Most went straight into storage or saw limited issue to frontier cavalry units. This example carries the “MM” inspection cartouche on the stock wrist and includes the saddle ring for cavalry use. The metallic cartridge system allowed much faster reloading than percussion systems requiring separate powder, ball, and caps. Despite its advantages, the Palmer never saw widespread adoption. Post-war budget constraints meant the Army used existing Springfield rifles and Civil War surplus rather than investing in new systems. The U.S. military didn’t adopt a bolt-action rifle as standard issue until the Krag-Jorgensen in the 1890s.
Most of our POTDs utilize images from our friends at Rock Island Auction Company, the premier firearms auction in the United States. Take some time to browse their current auctions – who knows, maybe you’ll find a piece of history to take home!
Scarce Civil War Era E. G. Lamson & Co. Palmer Bolt Action Saddle Ring Carbine | Rock Island Auction, www.rockislandauction.com/detail/1049/1338/e-g-lamson-co-palmer-bolt-action-saddle-ring-carbine. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025.
Writer | TheFirearmBlog
Writer | AllOutdoor.com Instagram | sfsgunsmith Old soul, certified gunsmith, published author, avid firearm history learner, and appreciator of old and unique guns.
Trending Products
