By 1863 every Union cavalryman carried a breech-loading carbine in addition to his saber and revolver. The most common was the New Model 1863 Sharps Carbine — a .52 caliber single-shot weapon with a falling-block breech action, loaded by lowering a lever to expose the chamber, sliding a paper or linen cartridge in, and closing the breech. A trained cavalryman could fire eight to ten aimed rounds per minute from the saddle. Confederate cavalry, lacking equivalent breech-loading carbines through most of the war, carried sawed-off shotguns, captured carbines, and muzzle-loading muskets cut down for mounted use. The carbine gave Federal cavalry a dismounted firepower advantage that grew steadily through 1863 and 1864.

This W. Britain figure depicts a Union cavalry corporal at the gallop — body forward in the saddle, reins in his left hand, the Sharps Carbine slung at his right side. He wears the regulation cavalry kit: dark blue shell jacket with the corporal's yellow chevrons, light blue cavalry trousers with the yellow trouser stripe, dark forage cap. The M1860 light cavalry saber is at his left hip; the Colt Army revolver is in a holster on his belt; the carbine, saddle bags, and bedroll complete the mounted kit. The dynamic galloping pose makes this a centerpiece figure for any Union cavalry charge diorama. Pair this figure with Union Cavalry Trooper Mounted on Trotting Horse for a cavalry column at two different gaits; with Captain George Armstrong Custer as a cavalry officer figure; or with Brig. Gen. John Buford, the cavalry commander whose dismounted breech-loading carbines held McPherson's Ridge on Day 1 of Gettysburg.

Scale: 1/30 (60mm). Matte-painted metal. W. Britain model 31504. From the American Civil War range. Single mounted figure, supplied painted and ready for display.