Original Item: Only One Available. This Burnside Cavalry Carbine in .54 caliber is offered in very good condition, and is definitely one of the best examples that we have ever seen! It is marked on the frame, breech block, loading lever, and under the barrel with serial number 651, which is VERY early during wartime production. This is probably the earliest example of a Burnside carbine that we have seen. Springfield Research records indicate serial numbers 623 and 810 were both delivered in early 1864 to Company "G" of the 14th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry. This carbine was possibly part of that shipment, and delivered around that time as well, with plenty of time to see service during the war.

This example, known as the "Fifth Model" or model of 1864, looks to have seen moderate levels of service during the war, so a lot of the original finish is still present. It looks like it was arsenal modified at some point, and the saddle bar and rings were removed or broke off. The butt stock had a sling swivel added, so this may now be in more of an "Artillery Carbine" configuration. Condition is very good, with the markings on the metalwork mostly legible.

The top of the frame is marked (faded on right side):

The marking on the lock plate is also still fully legible, a rarity:

The CAST-STEEL 1864 marking in front of the sight is present but worn, so the marking is only partially legible, especially closer to the rear sight. The metalwork has the blued areas faded to a nice polished gray patina, with a bit of light peppering in a few areas. The stocks are in simply great shape, with a lovely red brown oiled walnut color. They do show wear, and there is some cracking on the right side of the butt stock from age and stress.

The bore is in good condition, still showing the 5 groove rifling well. There is however fouling and oxidation, as to be expected from a Civil War black powder carbine, and it is particularly apparent towards the muzzle. The action cycles correctly, with a functional lock and tight mechanics. The small screw on the right side of the frame that allows the breech block to be properly moved for reloading is still present on this example as well. The original action hinge pin is present, however the the front tab is broken off, so it can rotate enough to be pushed out without depressing the spring retainer pin.

A very good example of a Burnside Carbine, later modified at arsenal to be an artillery carbine. Ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: c.1864
Caliber: .54"
Cartridge Type: Copper Casing or Tapered Foil Cartridge with Cap
Barrel Length: 21 Inches
Overall Length: 39 Inches
Action type: Side Action Lock
Feed System: Breech Loading Falling Hinged Block

History of the Burnside Carbine

The Burnside, one of the best carbines of the Civil War, was designed by one of its worst generals. Actually, Maj. Gen. Ambrose Everett Burnside had sold the interest in his breechloader well before the war started, so he was unencumbered with the need to further its development or, sadly, to reap the proceeds that would have resulted from its success as the conflict’s third most widely produced Federal carbine, after the Sharps and Spencer.

Burnside’s invention employed a rotating block, released by a loading lever that was activated by a hinged, clamping catch. It chambered a unique .54-cal. cone-shaped brass cartridge with a thick, rounded belt (there were also some earlier, coiled cases, sans belt) at its mouth and a small hole in the base that allowed ignition from a separate percussion cap. The round was loaded, base down, into the chamber. Next, the lever was closed and the block locked in place with the belt halfway between the chamber and barrel, providing an excellent seal.

After the carbine was fired, the lever was again lowered and the spent case easily removed from the block with one’s fingers. If extraction became difficult, it was possible to pull it out with the base of the next cartridge. After the soldier got the hang of it, a Burnside could easily be fired in excess of a dozen rounds a minute.

The Burnside Carbine (there were rifles, too) went through a considerable evolutionary process and provides a fertile area for the collector. About 300 First Models were produced by the Bristol Firearm Co. in Bristol, R.I., a manufacturer founded by Burnside himself. It was a .54 caliber with an overall length of 40 inches. First Models had no fore-stock and incorporated a unique side lever, which operated a tape primer and also locked the breech block in the open position. The carbine’s frame was case-hardened, and the barrel was blued.

Second Models did away with the side lever and tape primer, though they still had no fore-stock. Premier Second Models were made by the Bristol Firearm Co., though later ones were produced by the reorganized Burnside Rifle Co., in Providence, R.I. The Third Model, fitted with a fore-stock, was introduced in 1861 at the request of the U.S. Ordnance Dept.

A Fourth, and final, variant appeared toward the end of the Civil War. It had a double pivoting breech block to make the gun easier to open and close. Later on, a second type of Fourth Model (sometimes called “Fifth Model”) appeared with a screw in the right side of the action to prevent the block from dropping out of the action, thus speeding up loading. These guns will be seen with both blued and case-hardened frames. Markings on most Fourth Models are, “BURNSIDE’S PATENT/MODEL OF 1864,” though there are some examples with the earlier 1856 date. Also, deliveries of this model started in 1863, even though they had the 1864 markings.

Because they were made in large quantities and appeared toward the end of the Civil War, Fourth/Fifth Model Burnside Carbines are the least valuable of the various versions. Not too steep a price for one of the most important cavalry arms of one of America’s most important conflicts.

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