Maynard 1st Model Carbine in Georgia SN# Range

This is a nice example of a 1st Model Maynard Carbine in .50 caliber. 20" barrel that was found right here in Georgia. Last year, we found another example about 100 numbers away in central Florida. Both were .50 cals and in very good shape. Original sights include blade front, block style rear sight, and an adjustable vernier tang sight. Original saddle ring, takedown pin, and door latch for the Maynard Tape Priming device. Stock has the 1st Model Patchbox with 1845, 1851, and 1856 patent dates. Most of these early Maynards (primarily in the 1,800 to 4,100 serial ranges) shipped to southern states in the months preceding the Civil War. These were shipped to Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi with smaller quantities going to South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. They were issued to Confederate Cavalry units and included in Confederate Field Manuals. These shipments consisted of both carbines and rifles in .35 and .50 calibers.

The serial number of this example is "2400" with matching numbers on the Maynard tape primer mechanism and underneath the barrel, frame, and lower tang. This is right in the range of a 1st Model Maynard in Confederate service in Georgia during the Civil War. It was almost certainly one of the ones shipped to Georgia. One of its serial numbers, "2573" is just 173 numbers from our carbine. The reason we know it was in Confederate service here in Georgia during the Civil War is because it was repaired by the Cook & Brothers Armory in Athens, GA, and marked by the workmen. This can be found on page 100 in Longarms In America Volume II, by Howard Michael Madaus and published by the American Society of Arms Collectors. ASAC members are a very dedicated and select group of knowledgeable collectors and historicans of American-made firearms. This is not an ordinary group as each member is asked to make a contribution towards his or her field of expertise in the form of a presentation. Mr. Madaus was a prolific researcher and served as head curator to the Cody Firearms Museum and National Civil War Museum at Harrisburg, PA. http://www.civilwarnews.com/archive/articles/07/howardmmadaus.htm In his article titled "The Maynard Rifle and Carbine in the Confederate Service", Mr. Madaus states:

At least one other Maynard Carbine underwent Confederate modification during the War...carbine serial no. 2573 (mounted on frame 3295) at some time in its service blew its cone. Sent to a depot for repairs, the carbine was eventually transferred to the establishment of Cook & Brother at Athens, Georgia for refitting with a standard musket cone. Having done this repair, the workman at Cook & Brother stamped into the barrel the "ATHENS, GA" marking and the Confederat "Stars & Bars" flag always found on the products of that armory's lockplates. In so doing, this workman provided arms historians with some of the best evidence of the serial range of the arms that were delivered to Georgia.

For the full article, which is well worth your time, here is a link to the full article:

http://americansocietyofarmscollectors.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/B052_Madaus.pdf

Overall Condition grades to NRA Antique Very Good. Markings and edges are all strong and completely legible. The frame shows 15% silvery remains of case colors on the frame in a streaky pattern across the frame. The balance has turned to a smooth brown patina. Hammer shows 35% faded case colors and there is 60% original blue on the nipple (cone). Vernier tang sight shows quite a bit of original blue as do many of the screws. Barrel is mostly a smooth brown patina with traces of original blue in protected areas, i.e. around the front and rear sights and on the lower portions of the breech closest to the frame. There is a little scrape and a scratch on the right side of the barrel. See photos. The stock is in Very Good Plus Condition showing 65% of its original oil finish which has turned to a very pleasing deep russet color with great patina. The bore is almost Mint...bright and shiny with strong lands and grooves. Action works nicely as well. For a Confederate weapon, especially one that was likely built in the 1st quarter of 1861 and shipped south just before the Civil War began, this is far better shape than 95% of what we usually encounter.

Item# 1827

SOLD