Hey, found a cool Burnside Carbine

[CuriousCat21]

Hello, Curious Cat here,

I am an avid us military firearm collector, my main focus has been late 1800's up to WW2 with a heavy emphasis on WW2.

A friend of a friend was told I collected this stuff and got in touch with me. I was basically given around 20 apparently high end civil war firearms with a handful of vintage Kentucky long rifles. I don't have time at the moment to really go threw the lot at once so I'm hoping I can slowly post each and gather information.

No interest in selling any of these at the moment but would love any information about it I can get.
Based on my research I am confused on whether it's a model 3 or 4.

Serial is 21334 matched on three locations that I can see.

The barrel length is 21 inches

on the top of the barrel it's stamped cast steel 186x I can't make out last number as they are all faded on the barrel.
It looks like 1861.

I have a few old high end shotguns and there's directory's that can track the origin of a firearm,
I'm hoping that maybe the serial number I have attached can give some insight on if this was a civil war used gun if it's a model 3.

Thanks again for all of your help, I'm super stoked about this rifle in particular.

 

[UCVRelics]

whether it's a model 3 or 4.

Nice looking Burnside. The Burnside had 5 different versions. The term "model" is used by collectors and period literature refers to it as a Model 1863, although none are marked with this date and collectors have referred to the model generally as 5th model, however, that is a collector term of convenience and not a contemporary designation. This model was in the field during the 1864 cavalry campaigns. Serial numbers continued from 4th model to about 40,000 overall, production 1863 or 1864. The 4th model serial # only went to 11,000 so with your serial # its a 5th model. The date on the barrel should be 1864. Look on the stock above the trigger and see if there is a cartouche as the one below.

 

[CuriousCat21]

Nice looking Burnside. The Burnside had 5 different versions. The term "model" is used by collectors and period literature refers to it as a Model 1863, although none are marked with this date and collectors have referred to the model generally as 5th model, however, that is a collector term of convenience and not a contemporary designation. This model was in the field during the 1864 cavalry campaigns. Serial numbers continued from 4th model to about 40,000 overall, production 1863 or 1864. The 4th model serial # only went to 11,000 so with your serial # its a 5th model. The date on the barrel should be 1864. Look on the stock above the trigger and see if there is a cartouche as the one below.

View attachment 512124

I would agree i being 1864 on barrel it's hard to tell because it's a soft strike,

Are you able to id this firearm possibly in some database ? I noticed you have a but if knowledge on this stuff and have helped people in past. Would like to know if it was issued to anyone

 

[Conquerordie]

And whatever you do, don't polish it! It looks great the way it is.

 

[CuriousCat21]

And whatever you do, don't polish it! It looks great the way it is.

I'm a coin dealer by profession, have been for around 20 years. Rule number one in this biz, never clean anything. It looks sexy to me with that beautiful patina

 

[UCVRelics]

I would agree i being 1864 on barrel it's hard to tell because it's a soft strike,

Are you able to id this firearm possibly in some database ? I noticed you have a but if knowledge on this stuff and have helped people in past. Would like to know if it was issued to anyone

It is not listed in the SRS. Are there any cartouche's on the wood?

19248 040364CO K 7TH MICH VOL CAV (RETD)
21819 070164CO C 2ND ILL VOL CAV (ISSUED)
22415 070164CO C 2ND ILL VOL CAV (ISSUED)

 

[scooter748driver]

Welcome from the Fort Sumter and the Fredericksburg forums.

Nice Burnside!

 

[CuriousCat21]

It is not listed in the SRS. Are there any cartouche's on the wood?

19248 040364CO K 7TH MICH VOL CAV (RETD)
21819 070164CO C 2ND ILL VOL CAV (ISSUED)
22415 070164CO C 2ND ILL VOL CAV (ISSUED)

I'm going to say no, the wood has tons of songs and dents and wear so I'm not 100% bud I'm fairly certain it does not.

 

[gjpratt]

I'm a coin dealer by profession, have been for around 20 years. Rule number one in this biz, never clean anything. It looks sexy to me with that beautiful patina

The overall patina really resonates with me.