This Confederate carbine is a Davide Pedersoli & Co. reproduction of the carbines created for the Confederacy by Cook & Brother. Originally located in New Orleans at the outbreak of the American Civil War, Cook & Brother later moved their facility to Athens, Georgia, when Union naval forces and troops neared the city of New Orleans. Based off of the popular Enfield muskets and carbines, Cook & Brother guns were supplied to the Confederacy throughout the course of the war. Weighing in at 6.9 pounds this rifled musketoon has a trigger reach of 13-5/8” making it well suited for today’s average size shooter. This example is used with some marks on the barrel finish, and patina on the brass.
The .58 caliber tapered round 24 inch barrel is rifled with five narrow lands and wide grooves with a 1 in 48" rate of twist. Nicely polished and browned, the color has a few marks including a bright rub spot where a nipple wrench slipped at the breech. It will make a fine shooter, for hunting, or military musket competition. The barrel is tapered round, with a distinct flat at the breech, which makes a smooth transition to the tang. The breech is stamped PROVED. Some small proof marks can be found along the barrel line of the stock on the left hand side, these are the Italian marks from the maker. The top of the barrel is stamped Cook & Brother Athens GA 1863. The barrel is dovetailed with a flat top rear sight dovetailed 3-1/2" ahead of the breech. The front sight is a military style blade sight.
Stocked in straight grained European walnut the wood has been neatly finished a medium brown. This carbine has a few small handling marks on the stock from use. The buttplate, triggerguard, barrel bands and muzzlecap are all brass as per the original. Sling swivels have been installed, in the triggerguard grip rail and on the front barrel band. Two brass sideplate washers are inlet flush into the stock, and counter bored to accept the two lock bolts. The lock panel is stamped with a FWC inspection mark.
The color case hardened lock has the classic Enfield percussion hammer design. The hammer has a checkered thumb spur, but does not have the engraved border found on English made muskets. The lock plate colors are nice, bright, and well mottled. The lock plate is engraved with a flag on the tail, like the originals, and is stamped COOK & BROTHER over Athens GA, and is dated 1863.
This nice Cook & Brother Carbine will be appreciated by a Civil War reenactor. The Confederacy placed large orders for Cook & Brother firearms and this carbine is a good representation of those guns. More information on the original guns can be found in the book, Confederate Carbines & Musketoons: Cavalry Small Arms Manufactured in and for the Southern Confederacy 1861-1865 by John M. Murphy, M.D.
