The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Wilson's Patent breech-loading carbine. Lock marked with a Crown and 1864. Butt has an oval stamp of Herbert & Co, 8 Pall Mall East, London (right), J Ashton, Armourer Hythe (left) and tang is engraved TV 9. Breech is engraved with T WILSON'S PATENT and numbered C598. The carbine is fitted with a cleaning rod below the barrel.
The carbine is loaded by drawing a sliding wedge on the right hand side outwards away from the lock plate. This freed the bolt, which could be drawn backwards, exposing the chamber. A cartridge was then placed in the chamber and the bolt was returned home. The locking wedge was then pushed back into the receiver, securing the bolt. The hammer was placed on half cock and a percussion cap was fitted on the nipple. The carbine could then be fired in the same manner as any percussion weapon.
This carbine is one of 24 purchased by the Tasmanian Colonial Secretary’s office in September 1863. The weapon represents a transitional design, with an early breech loading mechanism combined with a more traditional percussion firing lock.
Lancaster (Sappers and Miners) Carbine. Percussion lock marked Crown VR and 1861 over Tower. Barrel stamped 384 near the proof marks with 'Lancasters Patent' on the top. The bayonet boss is numbered 1
Pattern 1861 Volunteer Artillery Carbine. Percussion lock marked Issac Hollis & Sons late Hollis & Sheath, Birmingham and a crown surrounded by 'Makers to Her Majestys War Department'. Tang marked TV
Calisher & Terry Carbine is commonly referred to as a 'capping breechloader'. The percussion lock plate is engraved Calisher & Terry, London. The hammer screw has been broken off. Barrel marked Terry'
British Pattern 1858 Second Model, percussion, single shot, artillery carbine. The lock is engraved ISSAC HOLLIS & SONS late HOLLIS & SHEATH BIRMINGHAM. MAKERS TO HER MAJESTY'S WAR DEPARTMENT. The tan
Pattern 1856 Volunteer Cavalry Carbine. Percussion lock engraved Issac Hollis & Sons, Makers to, Her Majesty's War Department. Barrel stamped 25. Stock marked J Ashton Armourer Hythe, Arrow/GS and AWM
Snider-Enfield Artillery Carbine. Lock marked Crown over VR and TOWER over 1858. The breech is a Mk III but not marked as such. The bayonet boss is numbered 319 to match the original bayonet. The butt
