April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2019
Manufactured from 1857 to 1865, originally by the Bristol Firearms Co., and by the Third Model they were being manufactured by the Burnside Rifle Co.. The Fifth Model is the last variation made from 1863 to 1865 with approximately 43,000 manufactured. Burnside was the third most popular carbine of the Civil War behind the Spencers and the Sharps. There were 11 units using the Burnside carbine in the spring of 1863. Burnside carbines were used in Brentwood, Tennessee on March 24th, 1863 when they were attacked and captured by Nathan Bedford Forrest; there were Burnside carbines present at the Battle of Brandy Station, Virginia when the Union Cavalry was attacked by Jeb Stuart's command; numerous Burnsides employed at the Battle of Gettysburg; in service in the summer of 1864 on Sherman's March to Atlanta. The amount of battles in which the Burnside carbine was present between 1863 and 1865 is too numerous to mention but it is safe to say they saw constant service in most campaigns during this three year period. Left side of stock has two different inspector stamps in rectangle; "HDH" for Henry D. Hastings, identified as an inspector on the Fifth Model Burnside, and "GC" for George Curtis. Top of the frame is stamped "BURNSIDE PAT MODEL OF 1864". Matching serial number on frame and block. Top of barrel is stamped "CAST STEEL". "R" can be found stamped twice at base, lower tang, sling swivel, and buttplate. "W" stamp on rear sight. "C" stamp on left side of frame. Features blued round barrel, single band, dovetail post front sight, single leaf folding rear sight, case colored frame, saddle ring and bar, walnut stock with sling swivel. Middle of right side of frame has the single screw. CONDITION: 95%+ original blue on barrel. Barrel band is grey patina. Frame retains 75% original case colors. Traces of case colors on buttplate. Most of the screws have nearly all of their original blue, as does block. 70% nitre blue on bottom of frame, lever, and lower tang. Wood is near mint with raised grain and a few minor handling marks. Bore is near mint and shiny. This is an absolutely stunning example.
Caliber/Bore
.54 Percussion