June 9-10, 2017 Premier Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/10/2017
The Bristol Firearms Co. and the Burnside Rifle Co. manufactured rifles from 1857 to 1865. They were updated into five models and were widely used carbines throughout the Civil War. Burnside, like many other firearms manufacturers during the Civil War, reached a solvency dilemma at the abrupt end of the hostilities. All of these small factories were filled with equipment, tools, supplies and talented workers but the sudden halt of military orders left them with an uncertain future. Many companies, such as Spencer and American Machine Works, decided to convert tooling over to the production of sporting rifles so as to continue sales. The Spencer Rifle Co. produced a small number of post Civil War sporting rifles. American Machine Works produced less than a dozen single shot sporting rifles based on the Civil War design. It is obvious, based on this rifle, that the Burnside Company attempted the same project. In fact, the barrel and forend of this gun are nearly identical to the few known examples of the Smith sporting rifle. They basically took the action of a Fifth Model Burnside carbine where they fitted 28" full octagon barrel, a walnut forend with pewter tip, a deluxe walnut highly finished stock and rifle buttplate and produced a breech loading .54 caliber sporting rifle. This is the only example of a Burnside sporting rifle that we are aware of. Top of the frame is stamped "BURNSIDE PATENT 1856". Still retains the sling bar but no ring. There is no visible serial number. It is obvious this rifle has seen very little use. Barrel retains approximately 95% or better original factory blue with razor sharp edges. No company stamp. Standard dovetail front sight, military style flip-up rear sight. Features extra grade walnut stock with piano finish, curved steel buttplate, case colored frame, lever and hammer. Most case colors have patterned out but still 30% intact. Several screws retain their brilliant high polish blue. Breech block retains approximately 50% high polish blue. Traces of color on buttplate with fire blue screws. Walnut stock is near mint, proud to metal, beautifully finished and has a rear sling swivel. Strong rifled bore. Fine working order. Total quantity manufactured is unknown, but likely very few. If a finer example exists we have not seen nor heard of it. If you collect single shot sporting rifles, this has the to be one of the rarest acquisitions one could make.
Manufacturer
Burnside Rifle Co.