GUN FALL 2015
The live portion of this session begins on Monday, October 5, 2015.
EXCELLENT CIVIL WAR BURNSIDE CARBINE. Burnside Carbine 11307 54 Cal. 54. This is an very fine example of the popular Civil War 5th model Burnside carbine. This gun exhibits bright blue finish, bright case colors and crisp inspector cartouches "GC" (George Curtis) on a raised grain stock. This gun conforms to other guns of this pattern with 21″ bbl and about 39″ overall. Markings are crisp and as typically found on breech, bbl & lock, as can be seen in photos. This gun was designed by the Civil War General Ambrose Burnside. The cartridge this carbine used was one of the most unique of the Civil War being a “ice cream cone” shaped brass casing though this was still a percussion arm. The breechblock mechanism is hinged to allow easier loading of the unusual cartridge this carbine used. ‘Burnside's Patent Model of 1864’ stamped on the top of the frame identifies this rifle as a ‘5th Model’, which was the one which was most commonly used during the Civil War. PROVENANCE: The William Smith Collection. CONDITION: Very fine and all matching. Bbl retains about 80% of its thin orig finish though most has turned plum with scattered areas of staining. The frame, lock and hammer exhibit bright case colors though muted in areas with scattered areas of staining. The breech lever & backstrap exhibit over 90% bright brilliant blue. Buttstock is sound and solid with crisp cartouches and some raised grain with scattered small scrapes, scratches, dings & dents. Forestock is fine overall with similar cosmetic defects with about 2" area of larger dents on bottom between breech and band. Mechanically sound and bore is bright & crisp. 49312-77 FTL (4,000-6,000)