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Exceptionally Early Variations of Significant Burnside Carbines
Collector’s Fact
One of only approximately 300 First Model Burnside carbines were produced, of which only 200 were purchased by the U.S. Government.
LOT 3169
Rare Burnside First Model U.S. Saddle Ring Percussion Carbine - Serial no. 277, 54 cal., 22 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This is one of less than 300 total First Model Burnside carbines manufactured by Bristol Firearms Co. circa 1857-58. A reported 200 First Models were purchased by the U.S. government, with most issued to the 1st U.S. Cavalry at ft. Leavenworth, Kansas in January 1858 and carried on various expeditions. This example is marked with two faint boxed script inspection cartouches on the left of the wrist, sub- inspector initials “ADK” (Andrew D. King) on the left of the barrel at the breech, and two “K” sub-inspector marks on top of the breech on the barrel and frame. A tape primer device located inside the frame is actuated by a breechblock release lever mounted on the right side of the frame; unique to the First Model Burnside carbines, with subsequent models absent both the primer system and this
Provenance: The George Moller Collection.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 3170
Rare Engraved Burnside Transitional First/Second Model U.S. Saddle Ring Percussion
style of lever. According to “The Burnside Breech Loading Carbines” by Edward A. Hull pg. 15-17, “...on April 21, 1856, Col. Craig [Chief of Ordnance] ordered 200 carbines of Burnside for field trials...By the terms of this first Army order for carbines [Ambrose] Burnside was to provide carbines of .54 caliber having a barrel 22 inches long and weighing less than seven pounds overall. The carbines were required to have a swivel bar with ring for
cavalry use. In a change to the design, Col. Craig required that the carbine be configured to use Maynard’s tape primer...This requirement presented Burnside and Foster [Burnside’s partner and head gunsmith] with the problem of developing a primer feed mechanism which would work reliably, could be readily manufactured and avoided infringing on Dr. Maynard’s lock patent (to avoid paying royalties).” Like the second model after it, it correctly lacks a forend. Blade front and flip up ladder rear sight. Matching numbers are on the frame, breechblock, and underside of the barrel. The stock is fitted with a brass trapdoor buttplate. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes wood tampion. CONDITION: Good, exhibiting genuine use with a mottled brown patina on the barrel, some dings, a gray patina on the frame, and scattered minor pitting. The stock is also good with period wear, some light scratches, scattered handling marks, and cracks behind the upper tang. Cartouches are lightly visible. Mechanically excellent. These early First Model Burnside carbines are one of the most highly sought after U.S. arms and very rarely turn up in any condition, with only a handful known to still exist!
Carbine - Serial no. 252, 54 cal., 22 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This transitional Burnside falls in the serial
range of the less than 300 total First Model Burnside carbines manufactured by Bristol Firearms Co. circa 1857-58. A
reported 200 First Models were purchased by the U.S. government, with most issued to the 1st U.S. Cavalry at ft. Leavenworth, Kansas in January
1858 and carried on various expeditions. According to “The Burnside Breech Loading Carbines” by Edward A. Hull pg. 15-17, “...on April 21, 1856, Col.
Craig [Chief of Ordnance] ordered 200 carbines of Burnside for field trials...By the terms of this first Army order for carbines [Ambrose] Burnside was to provide
carbines of .54 caliber having a barrel 22 inches long and weighing less than seven pounds overall. The carbines were required to have a swivel bar with ring for cavalry
use...” This example is “U.S.” marked on top and on either side of the frame. Due to recommendations after field trials, this transitional example was factory altered with Foster’s
1860 patented breech-latch (likely before the patent was issued), a plugged tape primer mechanism, and a plugged section in the rear of the frame where the breech locking lever
used to be from it’s original first model configuration. It features attractive floral scroll engraving on either side of the frame, blade front and flip up ladder rear sight, matching numbers on the frame, breechblock, and underside of the barrel, and a brass trapdoor buttplate. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes wood tampion. CONDITION: Very good, retaining a smooth brown patina overall with crisp engraving and mostly defined markings. Stock is also very good as refinished with some pressure dents and scratches, slightly undersized around the tang of the buttplate, and a few small cracks around the bottom of the buttplate. Mechanically fine. A rare opportunity to acquire an engraved early U.S. transitional Burnside carbine!
Provenance: The George Moller Collection.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
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