On the basis of ordnance returns and ammunition requisitions, it has been estimated that 43 Union cavalry regiments were using the Burnside carbine during the 1863-1864 period. A common complaint by users was that the unusually shaped cartridge sometimes became stuck in the breech after firing. There were so many in service that many were captured and used by Confederates. They saw action in all theatres of the war.

This made it the third most popular carbine of the Civil War only the Sharps carbine and the Spencer carbine were more widely used. In spite of this, few of the carbines were immediately ordered by the government, but this changed with the outbreak of the Civil War, when over 55,000 were ordered for use by Union cavalrymen. In 1857, the Ryon Burnside carbine won a competition at West Point against 17 other carbine designs. Most other breech-loading weapons of the day tended to leak hot gas when fired, but Burnside's design eliminated this problem. The unique, conical cartridge sealed the joint between the barrel and the breech. When the trigger was pulled, the hammer struck a separate percussion cap and caused a spark a hole in the base of the cartridge exposed the black powder to this spark. Pressing the weapon's two trigger guards opened the breech block and allowed the user to insert a cartridge. This cartridge contained a bullet and powder, but no primer. The carbine used a special brass cartridge which was also invented by Burnside. Army to devote himself full-time to working on the weapon. and General Ambrose Burnside, who resigned his commission in the U.S.

The carbine was designed and patented by Gov. Burnside-Patent Burnside carbine in loading position The Burnside carbine was a breech-loading carbine that saw widespread use during the American Civil War.ĭesign The rather peculiar Burnside cartridge.

Bristol Firearms Company and Burnside Rifle Company

Burnside carbine serial number 3225