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LOT 1199
Only Known Civil War Era Burnside Second Model Breech Loading Full Length Percussion “Rifled Musket” - Serial no. 301, 54 cal., 34 inch
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK THE BURNSIDE BREECH LOADING CARBINES BY HULL
round bbl., blue/casehardened
finish, walnut stock. This is the only known full-length musket variation
Burnside rifle manufactured by Bristol Firearms Co. circa 1860-1862, and certainly the first one this writer has ever seen. The Burnside rifled musket is described in
“The Burnside Breech Loading Carbines”
by Edward A. Hull pages 47-50, in which the author sums it up in a nutshell, “The story of Burnside’s breech loaders would not be complete without recounting the tale of guns that never were... the rifles and rifled muskets that the Burnside Rifle Co. contracted to deliver, and didn’t... The order was placed on August 28 [1861, by Army
Ordnance Department] and Hartshorn [Agent] acknowledged it on August 31. From the description of the arm in the order it would appear that second model Burnside breech loaders having a thirty seven inch barrel and a full stock were intended for delivery. Since a changed caliber was not mentioned in either the proposal of the order, .54 caliber arms were probably to be delivered.” This example has a 34 inch barrel, although it does measure 37 inches from the muzzle to the end of the breech block. Matching numbers “301” are on the frame and breech block, with the underside of the barrel marked “300”. Taking into account the serial number of this rifle being one after the approximate 300 manufactured first model Burnside carbines (very likely the same continuous serial
LOT 1200
General Burnside
Burnsides to feature George Foster’s breech-latch lever design and is marked on the right side of the lever “G. P. FOSTER. PAT./APRIL 10th 1860” (patent number 27,874), and also no longer has the provision for a tape primer mechanism as found on the first models. Pinched blade front and dual flip up ladder rear sight graduated to 900 yards, saber bayonet lug, 5-groove rifling, lock marked “BRISTOL FIREARM CO.”, and a full length walnut forend with an endcap and two barrel bands. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes leather sling and wood tampion.
CONDITION: Very good plus overall, retaining strong traces of original blue finish in protected areas mostly concentrated on the sides of the breech block, with the barrel turned to a smooth brown patina, the receiver turned to a gray/brown patina and some scattered light spotting overall. Wood is fine with some scattered scratches and dents. Mechanically excellent. The only known example of a Civil War era Burnside “Rifled Musket”, this transcends to a level beyond rare!
Provenance: The George Moller Collection.
Important Historic Note
According to author Edward Hull, when discussing guns that never were...Burnside was contracted to deliver, but failed, to provide for an order placed August 28, 1861 by the Army Ordnance Department for Burnside Muskets. Based on description, these would appear to be a Second Model, having a 37 inch barrel and a full stock.
range), this is one of if not the earliest second model
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
Collector’s Fact
Only approximately 1,500 3rd model Burnside carbines were produced.
Very Scarce Civil War Burnside Transitional Second/Third Model
Breech Loading Percussion Carbine - Serial no. 671, 54 cal., 21 inch round bbl.,
blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Approximately 1,500 Third Models were
manufactured by the Burnside Rifle Company in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1862. They differ from the
Second Models in that they have wood forearms, and retain a solid breechblock unlike the hinged breechblock in the Fourth and Fifth Models. This three-digit serial numbered example falls in the range of a second
model, has the early “BRISTOL FIREARM CO.” lock marking, and has been updated with the wood
forearm. Blade front sight, notch and folding leaf rear sight (graduated for 100, 300, and 500 yards), “CAST STEEL 1861” marked on the top of the barrel, “BURNSIDE’S PATENT/MARCH 25TH, 1856” on the top of the action (partially obliterated), matching serial number “671” on the receiver, breechblock, and underneath the barrel (above a crossed out 669), and “G. P. FOSTER PAT./APRIL 10TH
1860” marked on the lever release latch. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes wood tampion. CONDITION: Very good plus, retaining 50% plus attractive fire blue concentrated on the right side of the frame and breech lever, with the left
side of the entire gun turned to a brown with scattered moderate pitting, and the lock turned to a smooth gray patina. Wood is fine with some light scratches, chips, and small cracks on the right and bottom left of the buttplate. Mechanically fine. Seldom encountered in any condition! Provenance: The George Moller Collection.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
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