This is the Burnside single shot percussion carbine, Model 1864, aka "5th model". It is a .54 caliber carbine manufactured by the Burnside Rifle Co., in Providence, Rhode Island. General Ambrose Burnside, was an official in the company before the war but was not involved in wartime development of the weapon. Approximately 43,000 carbines of this model were produced, serial numbers were reset to zero and run to around 43,000 overall. This model represented only modest improvements over the earlier models, most notably being the placement of a guide screw on the right side in the middle of the receiver, this improvement facilitated smoother operation during loading.

Standard features include an iron buttplate, single iron barrel band with band spring, saddle ring and bar on left side, double iron trigger guard/loading lever, hinged leaf-sight (long leaf broken off), and a chamber tapered for unique Burnside metal cartridge with a priming hole in the bottom.

The maker’s marks typically found on top of frame, “BURNSIDE’S PATENT / MODEL OF 1864” are all but gone. A worn “STEEL 1864” is on the top of the barrel. Serial number 14632 appears on the top of the barrel breech and on the top of the receiver. There are no cartouches visible. Barrel length is 20 inches. All gun metal has been cleaned and now has a pleasing pewter color. Bore is clean with good rifling. Mechanics remain smooth and strong.

Wood has a good light color with usual dings and dents from age and use.

A “Z” inspection stamp is found on the underside of the stock between the rear swivel and the trigger guard tang.  This mark signifies that this weapon was recovered and turned in to the Confederate Ordnance Bureau for at least cleaning, and/or for some type of repair. The “Z” is believed to stand for Louis Zimmer who oversaw repair work at Richmond. See Steve Knott’s new “Captured & Collected” book for the complete Confederate “captured, repaired, and reissued” weapons story.  [jet]

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.

THANK YOU!