Burnside Carbine and Merrill Carbine

[French52]

Brand new member.  A great neighbor of mine received from her father's will a LONG time ago a Burnside Carbine, Cal. 54, Serial Number 30829 and a Merrill Carbine, Serial Number 2412, and I told her I'd try to find any info I could.  My areas of interest are a little later.  My book, Custer's Best: The Story of Company M, 7th Cavalry, at the Little Bighorn, just was published, so I have a working knowledge of Springfields, but nothing really before that.

Any help or guiding light on the Burnside and Merrill would be appreciated.

French

[Patrick Henry Brown]

I would refer you to two sources for information. R. McAuley's book, Carbines of the Civil War, and the North South Skirmish Association forum site. BTW, R. McAuley frequents that website, and there are many CW weapons experts there.

http://www.n-ssa.org/phpBB3/

[JimBob]

A check of the SRS serial number books does not list those specific numbers.Both are in the general range of numbers issued to specific units.The Burnside is in the range of numbers issued to Co.C-2nd.Illinois Vol.Cavalry.The Merrill Co.L-6th Indiana Vol.Cavalry.Any family history on Civil War soldiers who might have served in either unit?

[French52]

Thanks so much.  I will try and see if there is any family histroy involved.  We live in Decatur, Illinois so both units were mustered in not all that far away.

French

[JimBob]

Thanks so much.  I will try and see if there is any family histroy involved.  We live in Decatur, Illinois so both units were mustered in not all that far away.

French

Not too far away indeed.The 2nd Illinois was mustered in at Camp Butler at Springfield in 1861,the 6th Indiana in Indianapolis in 1863.

[Arizona Trooper]

That's an early Merrill. it should have matching serial numbers on the breech lever and at the back of the lock. Most major parts should have assembly codes stamped in (like 3 over 44). This one may be early enough that it does not have the Apr. 9 May 21-22 '61 patent dates in the lock plate. Rifling should be 6 groove, not the later 3 groove.

Most of these early Merrills were issued first to AoP units in the east. When better arms were available they were called in and sent to western cavalry units.

Drop me an e-mail and I'll send you an article I wrote on them for the N-SSA magazine "The Skirmish Line". T_CBECK(at)Charleston(dot)net

[Montana Slim]

Coincidently, I will be working on loads with my Pa in the near future to get his Burnside shooting. He has a small supply of purchased bullets but appears the prospect of future supply looks bleak. A proper mould for the conical cannot be found either (Dixie lists, but does not stock or backorder)...so, we may be forced to use .560 RB....at least that is my guess for now.

If anyone has a lead (pun intended) on a mould, please let me know.

I have a Dixie Mould for original Sharps Carbine.....so, I'd be willing to trade cast bullets if anyone has a mould, but doesn't want to part with it.

Slim

[Herbert]

Hav you tryed S&S fierarms they youse to sell a Burnside mould and cases

[Arizona Trooper]

I have a Rapine Burnside mold that I shoot in my Merrill. Use to shoot a Burnside in N-SSA before getting the Merrill. 22 gr. of FFF and cream of wheat filler shoots very well. Drop me a line at the address above and I'll send you some bullets.

[Montana Slim]

Hav you tryed S&S fierarms they youse to sell a Burnside mould and cases

My Pa tells me he just bought last of S&S's supply of cast bullets...& there would be no more. He reports they had no moulds, either.
I might do my own follow-up just to be sure, though.

Thanks,
Slim

[Montana Slim]

I have a Rapine Burnside mold that I shoot in my Merrill. Use to shoot a Burnside in N-SSA before getting the Merrill. 22 gr. of FFF and cream of wheat filler shoots very well. Drop me a line at the address above and I'll send you some bullets.

Arizona Trooper,

Thanks for the tips & offer....PM sent...I'll try to give a range report on the Burnside (providing he brings it along).

Slim