{"product_id":"original-u-s-civil-war-fourth-model-1863-burnside-carbine-serial-7449","title":"Original U.S. Civil War Fourth Model 1863 Burnside Carbine - Serial 7449","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This well-used Burnside Cavalry Carbine in .54 caliber is offered in good condition, and looks to have seen long service during the war, and most likely afterwards. It is marked on the frame with serial number \u003cstrong\u003e7449\u003c\/strong\u003e, while the breech block and loading lever are marked with serial number \u003cstrong\u003e13106\u003c\/strong\u003e. This means that the breech block was swapped out at some point, and the block is in fact from a Fifth model, as it has the channel on the right side for the \"guide screw\". The frame \/ receiver was made about a fifth of the way through of wartime production, probably made in mid-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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example, known as the \"Fourth Model\" or model of 1863, definitely saw long service, and shows a worn patina overall, with a lot of wear to the stock wood. In spite of this, it still retains the original saddle bar with one ring, as well as a sling swivel on the bottom of the butt stock. The wear to the exterior metalwork has made the markings a bit faint.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe top of the frame is marked (partly worn away):\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBURNSIDE PATENT.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMARCH \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e[25TH 1]\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e856\u003cbr\u003e10995\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe marking on the lock plate is however still fully legible, a rarity:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBURNSIDE RIFLE CO\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePROVIDENCE R.I.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe barrel marking\u003cstrong\u003e CAST=STEEL 1862\u003c\/strong\u003e in front of the sight is present, with some wear to the bottom of the letters, which also could mean it was mis-struck. 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 \u003cem\u003e37236\u003c\/em\u003e, previously sold by IMA, also had the \"early\" markings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe metalwork overall shows a gray matte steel patina from years of oxidation and subsequent cleaning, There are some areas with oxidation staining, but no major rust. The area around the cap nipple cone definitely shows some past powder burn, now cleaned away. The stocks show quite a bit of wear, with a good amount of wood missing from for fore stock along the wood line. The rear stock has some dents, gouges, and other wear. It has been personalized with \u003cstrong\u003eJ M Y \u003c\/strong\u003eon the right side and \u003cstrong\u003eA H\u003c\/strong\u003e on the left, carved in big block letters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bore is actually in fairly good condition, showing a mostly bright finish with clear lands and grooves. There is wear to the lands and grooves, and also some past fouling and oxidation, but for a Civil War black powder gun, this is actually quite good. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA lovely \"salty\" service worn example of a FOURTH Model Burnside Carbine, one of the few that we have had over the years. Ready to research and display!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: c.1863\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":41969746214981,"sku":"ONJR24RCAJ015","price":1495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR24RCAJ015__01.jpg?v=1724446638","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-civil-war-fourth-model-1863-burnside-carbine-serial-7449","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}