Massachusetts Arms Co Maynard Carbine 2nd Model .50 Cal Lever Rifle Antique

SOLD FOR: $1825.01

LSB#: 220316CA133

Make: Massachusetts Arms Company

Model: Maynard Carbine, Second Model

Serial#: 15024

Year of Manufacture: Circa 1863-65, Antique

Caliber: .50 Caliber

Action Type: Percussion Ignition Lever-Actuated Breech-Loaded Carbine

Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked “EDWARD MAYNARD / PATENTEE / MAY 27. 1851. / DEC. 6. 1859.” The left side of the breech is marked “S”. The bottom tang is marked “15024”. The right side of the receiver is marked “MANUFACTURED BY / MASS. ARMS CO. / CHICOPEE FALLS.”  The left side of the wrist is marked with two cartouches. The top of the butt-plate is marked “S”. The sling bar’s screw slot is marked “S”.  The rear sight’s base is marked “N”.

Barrel Length: 20”

Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a folding leaf sight that is dovetailed to the chamber. There are three leaves, each with a “U” notch at the top. The rear leaf and the center leaf pivot together and are set at 90 degrees from each other. The front leaf can be pivoted up or down once the middle leaf is raised. The front leaf is marked “1”, the middle “3” and the tallest “5”.

Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The stock is one-piece wood featuring a sling bar fixed to the left side of the receiver, a straight wrist with finger grooves integral to the lever which rests on the bottom tang, a straight comb and a semi-crescent butt-plate. The stock has light handling marks, nicks and scuffs. Notably, there are two light cracks at the tip of the top-tang and a small nick on the right side of the bottom tang. The LOP is 14.5” from the trigger to the rear end of the butt-plate. The butt-plate is coated in light oxidation and has some light handling marks. Overall, the stock is in Fine condition for an Antique

Type of Finish: Blue and Case Color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: The rifle retains 75% of its metal finish. The gun is coated in scattered patches of light surface oxidation. There are light handling marks, nicks and scuffs. Notably, there is finish loss around the leading edges, there is some finish loss around the muzzle, a patch of discoloration on the left side of the frame and there is light oxidation on the nipple (it is not deformed). The markings remain clear. The screwheads have toolmarks but they remain serviceable. The markings remain clear. The screwheads are only lightly tooled and remain serviceable. Overall, the rifle is in Fine condition for an Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box Paperwork and Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: This is a Maynard Carbine percussion-ignition rifle chambered for .50 caliber cartridges that was manufactured between 1863-1865. This carbine’s story begins with Dr. Edward Maynard. Maynard was an interesting man, he started his adult life by entering the US Military Academy at West Point but due to poor health had to resign after a single semester. He went on to pursue a career in dentistry. Maynard became one of the most successful dentists of his day, but he also moonlighted as a weapons designer, patenting dozens of firearms related patents. He designed a unique percussion ignition system that was used on the Model 1855 Percussion Rifle Musket. While theoretically a sound design, the Maynard Tape Primer System proved unreliable with its paper strips susceptible to moisture. Fortunately, the Model 1855s were able to operate normally with standard percussion caps and worked well enough in the field, in spite of the Maynard system.

Aside from his work on the Model 1855, Maynard also designed a breech loaded carbine for the U.S. Military. Along with the carbine, Maynard also designed a cartridge unique to his weapon system. There were a number of the carbines in storage when the Civil War broke out, and the Federal government only placed a single order for 22,000 of them in 1863. This specimen is one of the post-1863 manufactured carbines. This is evidenced by the lack of a tape-primer system and patchbox which were installed on the earlier carbines.

This Maynard is beautifully preserved with much of its original finish still intact. The case colored frame retains a surprising amount of its finish and the barrel’s bluing remains strong. Mechanically the gun’s functions all still work normally. This is a great option for fans of historical firearms. Good luck on your bid!

Massachusetts Arms Co Maynard Carbine 2nd Model .50 Cal Lever Rifle Antique
Massachusetts Arms Co Maynard Carbine 2nd Model .50 Cal Lever Rifle Antique