This seldom encountered surviving example is one of approximately 3,000 Austrian rifles of two types, including the Model 1842 Jaeger rifles and Model 1854 Extra Corps rifles, reported to have been converted to the Lindner breech loading system and transformed to carbine configuration with a saddle ring as a means of attempting to attract U.S. Government interest for purchase; with part of the work performed by the American Edward Lindner's shop overseas in Hamburg and shipped back to the United States to Amoskeag Manufacturing Company where they were “altered and finished” between 1860-62. Approximately 400 of these Austrian Lindner conversion carbines were sold by sales agent Samuel Smith to the U.S. Government in November of 1861 (not to be confused with the "First Type" that is listed in Flayderman's Guide, of which it has recently been discovered that it incorrectly includes this delivery of these Austrian conversions in its total) and it is said that some were used by Colonel Thornton F. Brodhead's 1st Michigan Cavalry regiment during the Civil War. Detailed information about these early Lindner Austrian conversion carbines can be found in the book "Lindner Carbines and Rifles" by Edward A. Hull on pages 64-87. Page 71 of the book states, "The carbines issued to the 1st Michigan Cavalry may have seen service at the Second Battle of Bull Run, August 28-30, 1862 (where Col. Brodhead suffered a mortal wound). By December, 1862 the regiment had been rearmed with 385 Sharps carbines and these Lindner carbines disappear from the record." No other U.S. deliveries of these carbines are known, with the majority reported to have been later sold to South America and used by Brazil and Argentina. Page 87 of Edward Hull's book states, "From the scarcity of examples today it would appear that even those that were used here in the Civil War were subsequently sold out of the country... the author has located only nine 'Austrian carbine' conversions remaining in the U.S.... the converted 'Austrian carbine' is today among the most rare of Civil War issue carbines." The top of the breech block is marked "EDWARD LINDNER'S/PATENT,/MARCH 29, 1859." (partially legible markings) in reference to Lindner's U.S. patent number 23,378. Lindner's breech loading system utilizes a locking "screw-sleeve" coupling that joins the breech end of the barrel to a tip-up threaded breech block with a chamfered face. To load, the knob on the screw-sleeve is rotated counterclockwise using the right hand, which allows the spring loaded breech block to tip upwards for loading with a combustible paper cartridge or loose powder and ball. Once loaded, the spring loaded breech block is pushed down and held with the left thumb, and the screw-sleeve is rotated clockwise gripping the knob with the right hand; creating a tight gas seal by acting as a cover around the breech while utilizing its threaded screw system to pull the chamfered face of the breech block tightly against the breech end of the barrel. Features blade front and flip-up notch rear sights, number "456" marked on the underside of the breech block, trigger guard, locking "screw-sleeve", barrel, and inside of the stock channel, "L&Z 1046" marked on the right side of the breech block, and "850" marked at the center of the Austrian lock. The stock has a saddle bar and ring on the left and brass furniture. "GDM" (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Provenance: The George Moller Collection

Very good, exhibiting smooth gray patina with varnished over scattered moderate pitting. Stock is good with some light handling marks, several horizontal cracks visible ahead of the lock and ahead of the side plate escutcheon, a filled in section where a patchbox used to be and on the bottom of the buttstock where a sling swivel used to be (both likely done at the time of the conversion). Mechanically excellent. A unique opportunity to acquire a Lindner Austrian Model 1842 conversion, one of the rarest Civil War era breech loading saddle ring carbines extant!