This very pretty carbine shows better than 95 percent barrel blue, substantial case colors on the receiver, case and blue on the loading assembly, and nice blue on the breechblock. The wood has a tight fit to the metal, shows nice grain and color, with just a couple of handling marks. The markings in the metal are crisp, as are the inspector cartouches on the left wrist.

The barrel is smooth metal and a rich blue. The barrel band shows a mix of gray and caramel, as does the buttplate. Both sights are in place. The rear sight shows blue at the standing v-notch. The forestock screw shows blue. The forestock has good color, edges, and a tight fit. There is a small darker wear spot to the rear of the barrel band that could be from resting in a rack. The stock screw shows blue. The receiver shows traces of case color on the right side near the hammer, but mostly the mottled grays of faded case. The left side is much stronger, with vivid color and the strong blue and case really shine on the loading lever and sides of the loading block when lowered. The long trigger plate shows some rubbing to the color toward the rear, where ones fingers would hold it, but it picks up again at the rear screw. The buttstock shows very little wear and is tight to receiver and buttplate.

The carbine is serial numbered 18978 and is the “Model of 1864” sub-type of the “Fifth Model” Burnside carbine. Ambrose Burnside received more favorable reviews as firearms designer than a general, though that was perhaps not a high bar to get over. Several models of his carbine were produced by the Burnside Rifle Company, which sometimes introduced changes while production for army contracts was in progress, though the general principle was the same: a tapered metallic cartridge with a small hole its base was loaded end first into a lowered breechblock and fired with a percussion cap.

The “Fifth Model” in collector’s terminology was produced starting in 1863 and uses a hinged and linked breechblock with guide screw to keep it in alignment when raised. The Ordnance Department designated it as the Model of 1863 and when in September of 1863 the company received a contract for 12,000 more, but made a few changes, primarily a longer trigger plate, longer screws and altered sight, they decided to designate it as the Model of 1864 and number it in a separate serial number sequence. Deliveries started in February 1864 and ended in June, at which point a second contract was written for an additional 6,000, the last of which was delivered in November, followed by a supplementary contract of early December under which 3,800 more delivered. The numbers suggest this delivered late in the second contract or very early in the third, though guns were not always shipped in numerical sequence, some carbines may have been on hand, and early deliveries may have included some earlier models.

This would be an great addition to a cavalry or carbine collection and fill out variations among Burnsides. It is a very nice example that would rate excellent for condition.    [sr]

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.

THANK YOU!