{"product_id":"original-u-s-civil-war-fifth-model-1864-burnside-saddle-ring-cavalry-carbine-matching-serial-32024","title":"Original U.S. Civil War Fifth Model 1864 Burnside Saddle Ring Cavalry Carbine - Matching Serial 32024","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This Burnside Cavalry Carbine in .54 caliber is offered in very good service used condition, having been lightly cleaned and restored by our antique gunsmiths. It is marked on the frame, breech block, loading lever, and under the barrel with serial number \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e32024\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e, which is a bit past halfway through the wartime production. Many internal components also have this number or shortened versions. Springfield Research records indicate serial numbers in this range were being delivered in mid 1864, however there are no blocks of serial numbers we can find that would indicate which unit it was sent to.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example, known as the \"Fifth Model\" or model of 1864, is in very good service used condition, with very nice \"broken in\" wood stocks and an intact saddle ring. It does not show any real signs of major cleaning or restoration, so it is a nice honest used example, and the markings are still well preserved. The Burnside was one of several \"capping breech loader\" designs utilized by the Union Army during the war. The top of the frame is correctly marked:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBURNSIDE PATENT.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMARCH 25TH 1856.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe marking on the lock plate is also still easily legible:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBURNSIDE RIFLE CO\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePROVIDENCE R.I\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eCAST-STEEL 1862\u003c\/strong\u003e marking in front of the sight still mostly legible, a real rarity on these guns, as they were often mis-struck at the factory. The metalwork shows a worn mottled patina, with some areas of peppering, but no major rust issues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stocks show wear and tear consistent with service during a war. There are dents and dings as well as some small chunks missing, especially on the woodline of the fore stock. There is some cracking near the nose, and what looks to be a repair on the right side. We did check the butt stock, and unfortunately the original stock cartouches have been worn away. Someone did however add their initials \u003cstrong\u003eJ F S\u003c\/strong\u003e to the left side by the receiver. The saddle bar and ring are in good shape, with no cracks or major damage visible. There is also still the original rear sling swivel present on the bottom of the butt stock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bore is in good condition, still showing clear 5 groove rifling, but also fouling and oxidation, particularly in the grooves. It does not look like it was properly cleaned after the last firing, though we have not attempted to use any harsh solvents or cleaners on the bore. This condition is fairly typical for a \"capping\" breech loader from the days of black powder. The action cycles correctly, with a fully functional lock and tight mechanics. The small \"guide screw\" on the right side of the frame that allows the breech block more easily stay in place for reloading is still present on this example as well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA very nice patinated service used example of a Fifth Model Burnside Carbine, ready to research and display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: c.1864\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: .54\"\u003cbr\u003eCartridge Type: Copper Casing or Tapered Foil Cartridge with Cap\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 21 Inches\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 39 Inches\u003cbr\u003eAction type: Side Action Lock\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: Breech Loading Falling Hinged Block\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistory of the Burnside Carbine\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBurnside’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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSecond 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41101197901893,"sku":"ONSV24DWG078","price":1995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV24DWG078__01.jpg?v=1709589901","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-civil-war-fifth-model-1864-burnside-saddle-ring-cavalry-carbine-matching-serial-32024","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}