Jenks Carbine

[kotkinjs1]

Hi all,

New to the collection is a Jenks "mule ear" Carbine. Used in the Mexican War then later reissued for the civil war after updating/enlarging the breech feed hole for the cartridges. It's a well used example with only a partial stamp remaining on the rear of the lockplate and on top of the barrel. Unfortunately I can't make out the date. 18, a barely visible 4, but nothing after that. Can see the USN though. Only other stamps are two very small 'R's under the trigger guard bow and to its rear. Strong action and only minor dings in the wood but no cartouches visible either. I'm surprised how light it feels compared to other carbines.
I can't find a lot of info on these but I'd imagine they were only used as ship's weapons in the ACW although the Marines used them in the Mexican War?

 

[JOHN42768]

Nice Jenks.

 

[kotkinjs1]

Nice Jenks.

Thanks! Did you ever figure out the issue with yours? Were you able to take the lock off?

 

[JOHN42768]

Thanks! Did you ever figure out the issue with yours? Were you able to take the lock off?

It is still in the todo projects, but not forgotten, thanks.

 

[Texas Johnny]

Congrats! I always have wanted to fire a Jenks, but I have never had the opportunity. I think the side hammer is very interesting, part of the reason I would like to fire one. Have you ever come across one of the Remington manufactured Jenks? If I am not mistaken they used the Maynard tape firing system. Nice find!

 

[kotkinjs1]

Congrats! I always have wanted to fire a Jenks, but I have never had the opportunity. I think the side hammer is very interesting, part of the reason I would like to fire one. Have you ever come across one of the Remington manufactured Jenks? If I am not mistaken they used the Maynard tape firing system. Nice find!

I've only seen those tape-primed ones online, never for sale or in person. They seem to be as rare as the USR marked ones!

One question I've got is if these were rifled at the time of the breech elongation. I can't find any consistency with online or print sources. Some say they were done at that time for the Civil War, others say there was an early and a late version with a smoothbore and a rifled bore.

 

[captaindrew]

Interesting piece, thanks for sharing

 

[JOHN42768]

I've only seen those tape-primed ones online, never for sale or in person. They seem to be as rare as the USR marked ones!

One question I've got is if these were rifled at the time of the breech elongation. I can't find any consistency with online or print sources. Some say they were done at that time for the Civil War, others say there was an early and a late version with a smoothbore and a rifled bore.

I have some old Gun Report articles. I will dig out tomorrow for you

 

[mofederal]

An interesting carbine. What caliber were they, and how did one eject the shell. A nice looking carbine either way.

 

[kotkinjs1]

An interesting carbine. What caliber were they, and how did one eject the shell. A nice looking carbine either way.

54 caliber. The original Mexican-American War version used loose powder and ball. The later modified version for the Civil War used a paper cartridge so still no shell to eject.

 

[Kentucky Derby Cavalier.]

 

[kotkinjs1]

I'm always so jealous of Ian - he always gets the coolest guns to fondle and play with!

 

[Kentucky Derby Cavalier.]

I'm always so jealous of Ian - he always gets the coolest guns to fondle and play with!

He has such a cool job.

 

[OldSarge79]

Unfortunately I can't make out the date.

While it could be 1846, I think it's 1845.

 

[kotkinjs1]

While it could be 1846, I think it's 1845.

That's actually what I'm thinking too. It looks almost like the top two edges and a shadow of the bottom curve.

 

[Seduzal]

Never seen this type carbine before. Learning something new today. Thanks for sharin.

 

[FedericoFCavada]

The Lone Star Republic issued Jenks carbines to some military forces, including some in Galveston. These used the special powder flask with powder measure for loading the loose powder behind the ball. A very early percussion arm, particularly when the US Dragoons carried the flintlock Halls carbines and most Texas troops used Model 1816 flintlock muskets, as did most U.S. infantry in the Mexican War.

 

[rob63]

Thanks for sharing, and most of all, for the great photos! Very interesting piece.

 

[kotkinjs1]

A very early percussion arm, particularly when the US Dragoons carried the flintlock Halls carbines

Didn't the 1st and 2nd Dragoons use the model 1833 and 1836 Hall/North percussion carbines (in the Seminole Wars)? The 1833 was actually the world's first military percussion arm.

 

[FedericoFCavada]

I may be mistaken: The 1819 rifle was a flintlock, but the later carbines were caplocks, yes?

As for "firsts" in the percussion realm: The Smithsonian Nat'l. Museum of American History notes the .54 caliber U.S. Navy Elgin patent percussion "cutlass pistol"made by C.B. Allen of Springfield, MA and the Morrill, Mossman and Blair firm produced about 150 of such arms, making it the first percussion handgun ever officially used by the U.S. armed forces, and also the only such knife-pistol used in U.S. service. Some of these apparently were with the Wilkes South Sea Expedition. James Bowie's "Sandbar Fight"of 1827, the Texas Revolution of 1835-1836, and Bowie's death among the Alamo's defenders did much to popularize such "Bowie knives."At the Smithsonian website above, the combination scabbard for the 11-in. bladeand holster for the 5-in.barrel may be viewed. The ramrod of the handgun was attached to the scabbard.