Burnside carbine

In 1857, the Burnside carbine won a competition at West Point against 17 other carbine designs.

The Burnside carbine was a breech-loading carbine that saw widespread use during the American Civil War.

By using ordnance returns and ammunition requisitions, it has been estimated that 43 Union cavalry regiments were using the Burnside carbine during the 1863-1864 period.

Although short-barreled versions of the issue musket were used, breechloading designs such as the Sharps carbine and the Burnside carbine were more frequently encountered.

In 1853, Burnside resigned his commission in the United States Army, although maintaining a position in the state militia, and devoted his time and energy to the manufacture of the famous rifle that bears his name, the Burnside carbine.