This carbine is a real looker, with better than 95 percent barrel blue, vivid case colors on the receiver, and case color and translucent blue on the loading assembly, and pretty color on the breechblock and upper and lower tangs as well. The triggerguard and loading lever show deep blue and case colors, as does the whole breech block and loading assembly when lowered. Even the buttplate shows subdued colors and blue on the buttplate screw. Both sights are place, as is the sling bar and ring. The mechanics are good. The bore is excellent.

The wood shows handling dings, pressure dents, and a few scratches, but a tight fit to the metal and two of the deepest, most crisp inspector cartouches we have seen. The barrel band shows some oxidation to a caramel color. There is a bit of wear to the left frame from movement of the sling ring.

The carbine is serial numbered 18966 on the breech and on the breechblock, which also is marked “BURNSIDED PATENT / MODEL OF 1864,” which is a sub-type of the “Fifth Model” Burnside carbine. Ambrose Burnside received more favorable reviews as firearms designer than a general, though that was perhaps not a high bar to get over. Several models of his carbine were produced by the Burnside Rifle Company, which sometimes introduced changes while production for army contracts was in progress, though the general principle was the same: a tapered metallic cartridge with a small hole its base was loaded end first into a lowered breechblock and fired with a percussion cap.

The “Fifth Model” in collector’s terminology was produced starting in 1863, uses a hinged and linked breechblock with guide screw to keep it in alignment when raised, and was designated by the Ordnance Department as the Model of 1863. In September of 1863 the company received a contract for 12,000 more, but made a few changes, primarily a longer trigger plate, longer screws and altered sight, and decided to designate it as the Model of 1864 and number it in a separate serial number sequence. Deliveries started in February 1864 and ended in June, at which point a second contract was written for an additional 6,000, the last of which was delivered in November, followed by a supplementary contract of early December under which 3,800 more delivered. The numbers suggest this delivered late in the second contract or very early in the third, though guns were not always shipped in numerical sequence, some carbines may have been on hand, and first deliveries may have included some earlier models.

This would be a great addition or upgrade to a cavalry or carbine collection.  [sr] [ph:m/L]

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