This is a relatively rare, completely original and honest 3rd Model Civil War Burnside cavalry carbine.  The specimen in very good plus condition and was produced by the Burnside Rifle Company of Providence, Rhode Island. The 3rd model was the first model of the series which came with a wooden forend, a barrel band and a modified style hammer different than those of the 1st and 2nd versions. The 3rd model does resemble the far more plentiful and later War year production 4th and 5th model carbines but differs in that the 3rd Model has a solid, unhinged (pivoting) breechblock which was found on the 2nd model.  The carbine’s hinged center breechblock drops down when the triggerguard inner latch is activated and allows for a quicker insertion of the brass cartridge.
 
This specimen is a .54 caliber, single-shot, percussion breech-loading weapon manufactured by the company during 1862 and 1863 and employed the tapered, uniquely designed copper cartridge. The short arm bears serial # 5939 in thin numerals and exhibits a pleasing plum / brown patina on the barrel surfaces. 
 
Stamped on the top of barrel in front of the rear sight are the words “CAST STEEL 1862”.  There are visible traces of the maker’s original very light stamp “BURNSIDE PATENT. / MARCH 25TH 1856.” on the receiver at top of frame.  The lockplate tang shows the maker’s marks “BURNSIDE RIFLE Co. / PROVIDENCE R. I.”  and the lock markings are strong and clear.
 
All mechanical functions are strong and tight.  The bore, with its five lands and grooves, is dusty but semi bright.  The weapon exhibits very strong rifling and would clean to bright.  The dark walnut stock is original and in very good condition; light cartouche is slightly visible. The stock appears never to have been cleaned and exhibits shallow dings and dents consistent with use and age as well as two "notches" neatly carved in the stock, perhaps to accomodate a sling of some sort.  
 
It is fitted with a cavalry sling bar, carry ring, forend and barrel band and a swivel at bottom of stock. This 3rd model carbine lacks the small guide screw in the center of the right side of frame which is present on later and far more plentiful models.
 
This is a very good, seldom seen 3rd Model Burnside which would compliment any cavalry collection and comes with a major bonus:  it is identified via the family and accompanied by ORIGINAL pension documents to Robert W. Osbourne who served in Company B, 2nd New York Cavalry during the Civil War.
 
Osbourne enlisted at the beginning of the War on 8/5/1861 at Newton, NJ as a Private.  On 8/11/1861, he mustered into "B" Company, NY 2nd Cavalry.   He re-enlisted on 12/29/1863 and was mustered out on 6/23/1865 at Alexandria, Virginia.  During his term of service he was promoted to Farrier and transferred from Company B to Company C on  8/29/1864.
 
The 2nd New York Cavalry, originally known as the "Harris Light Cavalry," served primarily in Virginia with the Army of the Potomac and was one of the "Three Hundred" fighting regiments mentioned by Col. Fox in his "Regimental Losses in the Civil War" and ranks eighth in the list of mounted regiments who lost the most men killed and fatally wounded in action during the War.   The unit was present at Cedar Creek, Aldie, Kilpatrick's Raid, Wilson's Raid, Thoroughfare Gap, Gettysburg, Brandy Station and dozens of more battles and skirmishes throughout the Civil War.