U.S. Civil War M1863 5th Model Burnside Carbine .54 Cal Percussion Rifle

SOLD FOR: $1,100.00

LSB#: LSB260502AH014

Make: Burnside Rifle Co.

Model: 1863 5th Model Burnside Carbine

Serial Number: 1824

Year of Manufacture: Circa, January 1864 (Carbines Of The Civil War By John D. McAulay) / Antique

Caliber: .54 Burnside

Action Type: Falling block Breech Loaded, Single Shot Percussion Rifle, with Foster Patent Lever.

Markings: The side of the lock is marked, “THE BURNSIDE RIFLE Co. PROVIDENCE RI. The serial number is marked on the top of the breech block and receiver. The stock cartouches are faded and no longer legible.

Barrel Length: 21″

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a barleycorn blade dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a two position flip-up sight marked out to 5.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a two-piece walnut set with a barrel band, saddle ring/bar, straight wrist, sling loop, straight comb, and steel buttplate. The LOP measures 13” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock has been lightly sanded and refinished. There are scratches and compression dents scattered throughout. There are a few small chips and gouges. There are no major structural cracks. Overall this stock is in Good to Very Good condition for antique.

Type of Finish: In The White, Case Color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is semi bright. The rifling is well defined. There is some pitting near the muzzle, moderately deep. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates 4/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains virtually none of its original finish. The majority of the metal has worn to a brown patina with corrosion staining. There are some minor nicks and scratches. There is tool marking by the breechblock pin. The screw heads are tooled but serviceable. The markings are faint. Overall this rifle is in Good condition for antique

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: This U.S. Civil War Model 1863 5th Model Burnside Carbine is a historically significant .54 Burnside percussion breechloading carbine manufactured circa January 1864. As a Burnside Rifle Co. product from Providence, Rhode Island, it represents one of the better-known Union cavalry carbines of the Civil War period. The 21″ barrel, falling-block breechloading action, Foster patent lever, saddle ring and bar, two-position rear sight, and military walnut stock configuration all contribute to its strong Civil War martial character. The serial number is present on the breech block and receiver, while the lock marking remains identifiable, though faint.

Condition is honest and clearly antique, with virtually none of the original in-the-white or case-colored finish remaining. The metal has aged to a brown patina with corrosion staining, minor nicks and scratches, and some tool marking around the breechblock pin. The screw heads are tooled but still serviceable, and the markings are faint, which is a collector consideration but not unusual for a heavily aged Civil War carbine. The bore is semi-bright with well-defined rifling, but the moderately deep pitting near the muzzle is a notable drawback, bringing the bore rating to 4/10 in the writer’s opinion.

The walnut stock set is in Good to Very Good condition for an antique, though it has been lightly sanded and refinished, and the cartouches are faded and no longer legible. There are scattered scratches, compression dents, small chips, and gouges, but no major structural cracks, preserving its display integrity. Mechanically, the action functions correctly, though the carbine has not been test fired and should be thoroughly inspected before any consideration of use. Overall, this is a desirable Civil War Burnside carbine with strong historical appeal and functional mechanics, best suited as a display or collection piece, with value moderated by finish loss, faint markings, refinished wood, illegible cartouches, and the rougher bore condition. Please see our photos and good luck on your bids! MF