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 on the top of the trigger assembly under the stock with serial number 10995, which is about a fourth of the way through of wartime production, probably made in late 1863. We checked the Springfield Research Services records, but were not able to find any possible shipments this may have been a part of.

This example, known as the "Fourth Model" or model of 1863, looks to have seen light service during the war, so a lot of the original finish is still present. Unlike many we see, it still retains the original saddle bar with one ring, as well as a sling swivel on the bottom of the butt stock. Condition is very good, with the markings on the metalwork still crisp.

The top of the frame is clearly marked:

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

The barrel is marked CAST=STEEL 1862 in front of the sight is present, with just a bit of wear to the date. Other Fourth and Fifth model carbines would have "MODEL OF 1864" under the "BURNSIDE PATENT" marking on the receiver, and also would have a "CAST STEEL 1864" marking on them. There does not seem to be any real correlation between when they were made and what markings they have, as Carbine serial 37236, previously sold by IMA, also had the "early" markings.

The metalwork has the blued areas faded to a nice dark gray patina, with a few traces of the original case hardening on the action. There is some significant rust peppering on the lock plate as well as the hammer, most likely from a combination of sweat and powder burn while in service. The stocks are in very good shape, with a lovely red brown oiled walnut color. They do show dents, small gouges, and other wear consistent with service, but there is no structural damage we can see.

The bore is in very good condition, with crisp lands and groove and a bright finish. There is very little oxidation or fouling of any kind, so we suspect that this example did not see much firing at all. There is minimal corrosion in the chamber and breech. The action cycles correctly, with a functional lock and tight mechanics. As this is a fourth model, the action does not have a "guide screw" on the right hand side, so the action can be hard to keep in the "loading position". The pivot pin is fully intact, and can easily be removed by depressing the spring loaded button underneath.

A fantastic example of a FOURTH Model Burnside Carbine, one of the few that we have had over the years, and definite one of the best. Ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: c.1863
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.

NOTE: 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.