Cook & Brother Carbine

bdGreen · Oct 10, 2019

Had this one in hand today.

This is an original 1863 Cook & Brother Carbine.

Through the last 156 years it has some modifications done to it to keep it in the spirit of which it was intended.

The lock, barrel, screws, and most all of the hardware it is original to the gun.

The stock is not.

It is 58 calibre.

That haunting 'yellow' finish I believe is many decades old shellac. That was pretty popular to do that when trying to protect all the parts.

Anyway, I am just posting this so anyone can take a look at a wonderful rifle built by two English brothers that championed building quality rifles for the south during the war.

enjoy,

bdGreen

Gene L · Oct 10, 2019

Cook and Brother carbines were relocated to Athens, GA from New Orleans (I think) where the armory building still stands and is used by the UGA. An exact replica exists, Clyde Armory in Athens, and also a gun store built maybe ten years ago, intentionally to replicate the original.

I've seen a couple of these carbines near Athens that were reputed to be authentic by locals, but they'd been obviously been restored, but I think the metal was original. I believe the stocks were pecan, but I don't know.

During Stoneman's first raid, when his goal was to attempt to destroy Cooks, it is reputed (rumor) that in fear that he would penetrate the defenses of Athens, that a number of carbines were dumped in the Oconee river. Which is across the street, now. And probably the source of power for the machinery. I don't believe this, however. There is no reputable records to back this up.

Stoneman never made it to Athens which was defended by militia...he was turned back trying to cross the Oconee River on a bridge no longer in existence which is located in what is now Oconee County. I think one man was killed, a Union trooper.

The trenches dug by the Confederates are still there. I visited them a few years ago. A lot of work went into the the defense. What I would call fairly extensive.

Stoneman was captured in what is now Winder, GA, I believe, and pardoned after he signed an oath to not take up arms again. Which he signed, but didn't honor as he led another raid in 1965 in TN.

Ivan the Butcher · Oct 10, 2019

I have always been fascinated with Cavalry Carbines. But I only own or experienced metallic cartridge guns. Please pour on the accumulated knowledge of the Forum!

Ivan

Cook & Brother Carbine

bdGreen

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Gene L

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Ivan the Butcher

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