Make: Burnside Rifle Co.
Model: 4th Model Burnside Carbine
Serial Number: 20406
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1862-1864
Caliber: .54 Burnside
Action Type: Falling block Breech Loaded, Single Shot Percussion Rifle, with Foster Patent Lever.
Markings: The top of the receiver is marked, "BURNSIDE PATENT MODEL OF 1856" followed by the serial number, "20406". The side of the lock is marked, "THE BURNSIDE RIFLE Co. PROVIDENCE RI. All serialized parts are matched. The barrel is marked "Cast Steel 1862". The inspector's cartouche is faint but 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 is 13" from trigger to buttplate. There are scratches and compression dents throughout. There are a few light gouges scattered throughout. There is some oil darkening in the wrist. There is a small crack at the forend tip. Overall this stock rates in Good-plus condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blued & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright. The rifling is sharp. There is very light pitting in a few spots. In this writer's opinion this bore rates 8+/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 25% of its metal finish. The barrel has mostly gone to a moderate patina. The breech-block retains some good blue finish, strongest on the top and portions concealed when the action is closed. The receiver's case color shows muting, with much of the figuring still visible and some areas gone to patina or showing surface oxidation. There is scattered light pitting, most notable on the lever. The screw heads are tooled but serviceable. The markings are clear. Overall this rifle is in Good-plus condition as 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 4th Model Burnside Carbine is a desirable and historically significant cavalry arm manufactured by the Burnside Rifle Co. of Providence, Rhode Island, circa 1862–1864. Although described as a rifle, this is properly a Burnside carbine, chambered in .54 Burnside and using a single-shot percussion breechloading action with the Foster patent lever. The receiver marking "BURNSIDE PATENT MODEL OF 1856," the Burnside Rifle Co. lock marking, the "Cast Steel 1862" barrel marking, and the matching serialized parts all support its identity and enhance its collector appeal. The faint but legible inspector’s cartouche is also a positive feature, as surviving cartouches are often worn or lost on Civil War cavalry carbines.
Condition is solid overall, especially given the age and service history typical of Burnside carbines. The case colors are mostly muted, though some color remains, which is a modest but welcome detail. The breechblock has the strongest blue finish with many other blued parts gone to patina and some pitting on the lever. The markings remain clear, an important strength for authentication and display value. The walnut stock set is in Good-plus condition, showing scratches, compression dents, scattered light gouges, oil darkening at the wrist, and a small crack at the forend tip. These defects are consistent with age and handling, and they do not appear to overwhelm the overall presentation.
Mechanically, this Burnside functions correctly, which is an important advantage for a Civil War breechloading carbine. The bore is a standout feature: it is bright, with sharp rifling and only very light pitting in a few spots, rating 8+/10. That bore condition is notably better than is commonly encountered on heavily used percussion-era arms and much better than the exterior condition might suggest. Overall, this is a strong representative example of a Civil War 4th Model Burnside Carbine with matching parts, clear markings, functional mechanics, and an excellent bore. Please see our photos and good luck on your bids!
