Outstanding condition example of the 5^th Model Burnside Carbine. A single shot breechloading .54 caliber weapon made by The Burnside Rifle Co., Providence, RI. Exhibits outstanding case colors on the frame and brilliant blue finish on the block and lever. The barrel also retains nearly 100% blue. The stock is super fine with a pair of excellent inspector’s cartouches. Bore is mint! Mechanically perfect. Serial number 17715, all matching, is identified by records in the National Archives as having been issued to Pvt. Schumaker.

Schumaker enlisted in Co. K of the 1^st Wisconsin Infantry on October 8, 1861 at Fond du Lac, WI to serve three years. He was 30 years old at the time. He became sick in January 1862 at Munfordville, KY and was discharged July 12, 1862 by reason of disability. Pvt. Schumaker, who was born in Germany, enlisted in Co. K. of the 4^th Wisconsin Cavalry on Nov. 23, 1863. He was promoted to Corporal in July of 1864 but was reduced to the rank of Private in Feb. 1865. At the end of the war he stayed in the 4^th Wisconsin Cavalry and was discharged on May 28, 1866 at Brownsville, TX. It appears that at that time he suffered sunstroke and fell, possibly striking his head. A long pension files shows him as insane in about 1872. He ended up in the county jail of Fond du Lac County and was then confined at the Northern Hospital for the Insane being “violent and homicidal”. Peter Schumaker died on Feb. 4, 1908. His wife Maria collected his pension until her death in 1924.

Complete copies of Schumaker’s military service, pension and serial number records accompany the carbine.

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