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Manufacturer: Bristol Firearms Company, Burnside Rifle Company
Where made: Rhode Island
Model: 1857
Year(s) made: 1857-1865
Description
The Burnside was one of the first breech-loading, and the third most common carbine in Federal Cavalry service, later exceeded in numbers only by the Sharps and Spencer carbines. It was a lever action, single-shot weapon. First and Second (of 5) Models were in service by Antietam. Its inventor, Ambrose E. Burnside, was also at the Battle. About 55,000 of these rifles were delivered to the US Army by the end of the War.
Employment at Sharpsburg
Common in many Federal units early in the War. Captured pieces in Confederate service.
Ammunition Used
Special Burnside design, cone shaped metallic cartridge. Usual load 65 grains powder behind 500 grain bullet.
Bore
0.54 inches
Effective range
200 yards
Muzzle Velocity
950 feet per second
Weight
9 pounds
Other notes
Photograph and other details from the Smithsonian.1
1 Barber, James G., and Troy Lachance, et al., CivilWar@Smithsonian, first accessed 01 January 2002, <http://www.civilwar.si.edu/home.html>, Source page: /weapons_burnside.html [AotW citation 294]