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. įor their conspicuous acts of bravery, nine cavalrymen were awarded the Medal of Honor. Numerous government sub-inspector initials are located on various metal parts throughout the carbine, including the letters. A sling swivel was located on the buttstock, and there was a sling ring and bar on the carbine’s left-side grip area.

The 22-inch-long blued barrel, secured to the stock by a single band, had a brass blade front sight, and the folding rear sight-secured by a curved spring base-was graduated out to 800 yards. Roughly 55,500 Burnside carbines of all models were produced and delivered to the US government, making it the 3rd most used carbine model of the Civil War. This is very nice example of one of the percussion breechloading carbines that helped the Federal Cavalry to eventually achieve superiority over their Confederate counterparts during the American Civil War. The carbine’s frame was case-hardened, and the barrel was blued. Schubarth Contract US Model 1861 Rifle Musket.įourth Model. The two closest numbers to this gun are #8730 (57 numbers below) and #8811 (24 numbers above), both of which were issued to C troop of the 2ndTexas Volunteer Cavalry (US). The serial number of this gun is not listed among those compiled by the, in their four volume serial number book set. A pair of very crisp and fine inspectors’ cartouches are present on the left side of the wrist. This one has the matching serial number 8787 throughout, placing very early in the 5th model production run.Īnother wartime contract of May 24, 1864, stated that the Army would take the entire production fabricated by the Spencer factory through Sept. According to the serial numbers compiled by the Springfield Research Service, Burnside #17044 was issued to Company K the 4th Wisconsin Cavalry and #17076 was issued to Company H of the 6th Ohio Cavalry. A few troopers were arrested for killing the pigs, not because of the consumed swine, but because it was against orders to fire at any object other than a “gray-jacket.” On a more serious note, simply put, the. In the post-war period, Springfield Armory retrofitted about 12,000 M1860s to incorporate M1865 features. The gun is 100% complete and correct and has enough remaining finish mixed with the untouched patina to give it a lot of eye appeal.

Burnside carbine serial numbers