These "Fifth Model" Burnside carbines represent the completion of the evolution of General Ambrose Burnside's ingenious carbine design. Unfortunately for Burnside, he profited little, if at all, from his well-known design because he sold his shares before the company received sizable government contracts. The outbreak of the Civil War led to the purchase of over 50,000 Burnside carbines. They were the third most purchased breech loading carbine during the war, after only the Sharps and the Spencer. This example has standard markings and features. Matching serial number marked on the frame, breech block and underside of the barrel. Two faint boxed script inspection cartouches are visible on the left stock wrist with what appears to be "R.K.W" inspection initials marked underneath the forearm and "N.S.P" inspection initials ahead of the buttplate tang.