Ridgeway Civil War Research Center, A virtual examination of artifacts of the American Civil War
	Civil War Weapons, all pre 1898
	by Harry Ridgeway

Breechloader, Burnside single shot percussion carbine, 1856 patent date, lever not hinged, no forearm, 2nd model, .54cal. . Burnside carbine employed an unusual cone shaped metal cartridge for use in a percussion system. Burnside produced about 2,000 carbines of this model, serial numbers run approximately from about 300 to 2,300, marked with 1861 date on the barrel and with 1856 patent date on the frame, also known as 2nd model, however this is a collector term of convenience and not a contemporary designation. This model employed the single hinged loading lever. Manufactured by Burnside Rifle Co., Providence, Rhode Island, General Ambrose Burnside, was an official in the company before the war but was not involved in wartime development of the weapon. Marks on top of frame BURNSIDE PATENT / MARCH 25, 1856. Barrel is marked CAST STEEL 1861. Lock marked, BRISTOL FIREARM CO. . Serial number normally appears three times, on the top of the breech, top of the receiver, and bottom of the barrel. Standard features include: iron buttplate, no forearm, no bands, and no saddle riding bar, these all came with later models. Research Center: Weapon2062-Breechloader-Burnside-Carbine-Model-2 . Reference: Flayderman 9B-043. Barrel length 21in. Details click: http://relicman.com/weapons/Weapon2062-Breechloader-Burnside-Carbine-Model-2.html

W1389 ### Breechloader, Burnside single shot percussion carbine, 1856 patent date, lever not hinged, no forearm, 2nd model, .54cal. (sn# 549) . Burnside carbine employed an unusual cone shaped metal cartridge for use in a percussion system. Burnside produced about 2,000 carbines of this model, serial numbers run approximately from about 300 to 2,300, marked with 1861 date on the barrel and with 1856 patent date on the frame, also known as 2nd model, however this is a collector term of convenience and not a contemporary designation. This model employed the single hinged loading lever. Manufactured by Burnside Rifle Co., Providence, Rhode Island, General Ambrose Burnside, was an official in the company before the war but was not involved in wartime development of the weapon. Marks on top of frame BURNSIDE PATENT / MARCH 25, 1856. Barrel is marked CAST STEEL 1861. Lock marked, BRISTOL FIREARM CO. . Serial number normally appears three times, on the top of the breech, top of the receiver, and bottom of the barrel. Standard features include: iron buttplate, no forearm, no bands, and no saddle riding bar, these all came with later models. Research Center: Weapon2062-Breechloader-Burnside-Carbine-Model-2 . Reference: Flayderman 9B-043. Barrel length 21in. Serial number 549. Metal appearance is brown patina with some pitting, maker marks are definite, serial numbers are matching on frame and receiver, number 549 under barrel, wood solid with dings and scratches from use, sight intact, band intact, this early version of Burnside did not have a riding bar, bore is dirty and needs cleaning, mechanics fully functional, early example that definitely saw use. Ridgeway collection, Old Court House Civil War Museum, Winchester, Virginia.

This is the "Ridgeway Civil War Research Center", a research tool for educational purposes only, and is provided at no cost to the reader. Some of the relics listed are retained in the author's collection, most reside in other collections and are not owned by the author. None of the items listed in this section are for sale, please refer to relicman.com sales listings for items offered for sale. This is a work in progress, I list items as I get to them, there are many patterns that are not listed yet, this list will be regularly updated as I get pictures and descriptions for more items. I will also correct mistakes, so if you see any please tell me. All items listed are believed to be authentic to the Civil War or as otherwise described. Any excavated relics have been recovered from private property with owners permission.This information is available for research purposes, pictures may be used by permission only.

All weapons listed on this webpage are strictly manufactured before 1898, and are considered unsafe for actual use. These are antique collectible weapons of the Civil War (most are pre 1865, unless I state otherwise) and actual firing of these weapons is not recommended for any purpose whatsoever! Because these are all "pre 1898" weapons, no licenses are required for ownership, but common sense and good judgment should be applied.

Most information on this page is from:
Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms......
John Thillman series, "Civil War Cavalry & Artillery Sabers...", or "Civil War Army Swords....".

Ridgeway Civil War Research Center, A virtual examination of artifacts of the American Civil War Weapons Research center, weapons, click: http://relicman.com/weapons/Weapon0000-Index.html. Research center, weapons, click: http://relicman.com/weapons/Weapon0000-Index.html.

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Civil War Relicman, Harry Ridgeway, Civil War weapons, Relicman sales catalog. Sale listings click: http://relicman.com/weapons/Relicman-Sales-Weapon0000.html. Sale listings click: http://relicman.com/weapons/Relicman-Sales-Weapon0000.html.