This 5^th Model Burnside Carbine is in great condition, with very desirable features including a rare “Z” stamp, denoting that this weapon was captured and inspected for reissue by the Confederacy’s  ordnance department.  In their desperate need for serviceable military arms, the Confederate Ordnance Bureau developed a system to recover, clean, repair, inspect, and reissue arms captured from Union soldiers and gleaned from the battlefield. Over 200,000 small arms of all types were eventually processed, with inspection stamp letters A, F, Q, T, and Z applied to the reissued guns, typically just in front of the trigger guard.

This specimen is in a great condition.  The bore is bright with deep rifling, the action is strong and tight, and the breech block lowering lever works as new.  The wood shows signs of wear, including light dings and dents. The initials “B M L” are carved deeply into the stock near the grip.  A prominent “Z” can be found near the base of the trigger guard, denoting the weapon as a Confederate capture and reissue piece. All numbers match the serial “29726” and the markings on the carbine include “S’ on the hammer, “H” on the breach release lever, “S” on the receiver, “BURNSIDE RIFLE Co. PROVIDENCE = R.I.” and “BURNSIDE PATENT MARCH 25^th 1856”. The barrel is stamped “cast-steel” with a partially worn date that reads “186” with the last number missing from wear and use. Elevated sights work as new, and front sight is sharp.

In 1857, the Burnside carbine won a competition at West Point against 17 other carbine designs. In spite of this, few of the carbines were immediately ordered by the government, but this changed with the outbreak of the Civil War, when over 55,000 were ordered for use by Union cavalrymen. This made it the third most popular carbine of the Civil War; only the Sharps carbine and the Spencer carbine were more widely used. They saw action in all theatres of the war. There were so many in service that many were captured and used by Confederates. A common complaint by users was that the unusually shaped cartridge sometimes became stuck in the breech after firing.

On the basis of ordnance returns and ammunition requisitions, it has been estimated that 43 Union cavalry regiments were using the Burnside carbine during the 1863-1864 period. Additionally, 7 Confederate cavalry units were at least partially armed with the weapon during this same period.

Five different models were produced. Production was discontinued towards the end of the Civil War, when the Burnside Rifle Company was given a contract to make Spencer carbines instead.

A perfect opportunity to round out a collection with a firearm that obviously saw service on both sides of the Civil War.  [cm][ph:L]

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