This is the Burnside single shot percussion carbine, Model 1864, aka "5th model". It is a .54 caliber carbine manufactured by the Burnside Rifle Co., in Providence, Rhode Island. General Ambrose Burnside, was an official in the company before the war but was not involved in wartime development of the weapon. Approximately 43,000 carbines of this model were produced, serial numbers were reset to zero and run to around 43,000 overall. This model represented only modest improvements over the earlier models, most notably being the placement of a guide screw on the right side in the middle of the receiver, this improvement facilitated smoother operation during loading.

Standard features include an iron butt plate, single iron barrel band with band spring, double iron trigger guard/loading lever, hinged leaf-sight, single sling swivel on underside, a saddle ring and bar on left side, and a chamber tapered for unique Burnside metal cartridge.

The maker’s stamp found on top of frame, “BURNSIDE’S PATENT / MODEL OF 1864” is present but light. A worn “CAST STEEL 1864” is on the top of the barrel. Serial number 6960 appears on the top of the barrel breech and on the top of the receiver. Barrel length is 20 inches. All gun metal is a mottled dark brown color over bright highlights. Bore is clean and bright with good rifling. All mechanics work well and breech block operates smoothly.

The two sections of stock show good original color and finish. Two cartouches are visible on the left side. There are the usual small dings from age and use, but more noticeable are numerous small (0.5” long or less) knife cuts on the wood. These are not a distraction, but likely merely from a bored soldier.

A fine Civil War carbine with relatively low serial number.    [jet] [ph:L]

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