According to Historian and biographer William Marvel, “Unlike many mass-produced pieces, all Burnside’s military carbines and rifles were well made.” 16 That is not saying all mass produced interchangeable pieces were not well made. 12 This Burnside used the percussion cap system for ignition. The Fifth Model was essentially identical to the Fourth Model except for a “guide screw” that “allows smoother operation of the breech as it rides in the corresponding curved groove in the breech block.” 6 Around 43,000 of this model was made between its production years of 18. 13 Like the Third Model, it used a 9.5-inch forearm.14 Approximately 7,000 of this model was made between 18. The cast-steel barrel was 20 inches long. 54 caliber metallic cartridge and was rifled with five grooves. The breech block was double pivoted, and its “hinged center section” allowed the cartridges to be inserted more easily than the previous models. 6 In this model, Foster’s locking system was improved. The Fourth Model of the Burnside Carbine is another transitional type. The barrel is 21 inches long and has five rifled grooves. The total length of the carbine is 39.5 inches and weighs around 6 pounds, 12 ounces. The Burnside Carbine, Second Model, has a. 6 However, the first and transitional Burnside models reflect the idea of private companies striving to fulfill government contracts and demonstrate the advancements that came out of the private industry’s partnership with the U.S. Only approximately 50 were made, and they were not used in the Civil War. Two of the suggested adaptations were the removal of the side lever and Foster’s spring latch (see below). 5 There was also a transitional model between the first and second that made suggested changes after first model armed a U.S.

4 The barrel was 22 inches long, and the carbine operated with a tape primer percussion system. Ambrose Burnside’s First Model carbines were experimental and contained a side lever lock.

Burnside carbine serial number 3225