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British Firearms (Pre. 1914) >> Breech Loading - Military Rifles >> Burton Carbine
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Message started by Dave on 01/06/06 at 9:57am

Title: Burton Carbine
Post by Dave on 01/06/06 at 9:57am

I was just wondering if anyone here knows anything about this weapon. I came across a reference to the Burton carbine in an article on the adoption of the Snider, where it was mentioned along with the Sharp's, Prince, Greene, Leach and Terry & Calisher as being one of the percusion cap breech loaders trialled in the mid and late 1850's by the British army prior to the adoption of the Snider.

Thanks in Advance for any information.
Dave

Title: Re: Burton Carbine
Post by A._Roads on 01/07/06 at 9:01am

Burton's Carbine had a back action lock, was 2' 10" in length & with a .50 inch calibre barrel 18.0" long rifling was 5 grooves with a twist of 1/2 turn in the length of the barrel. In the test there was considerable gas escape at the breech & fouling was a problem. The carbine has a very distinctive triger guard that levers downwards to operate the breech. It looks somewhat similar to a Sharp's carbine.
Adrian.

Title: Re: Burton Carbine
Post by Dave on 01/07/06 at 12:23pm

Thanks Adrian.

I've read that a carbine was invented by Sir Richard Burton (the explorer). But confusingly at around the same time there was an American, James Burton (later head of the Confederate armouries during the American Civil War) who was employed in Britain supervising the modernisation of Royal Enfield factory. I believe that this James Burton was later instrumental in developing or adopting the Richmond Sharp's used by some Confederate troops during the latter stages of the Civil War.

So would know which one of these gentlemen was responsible for the design? Assuming its either one of course.

Title: Re: Burton Carbine
Post by A._Roads on 01/09/06 at 9:06am

Sorry Dave, I can't answer that, the only other info I have is that the pattern of Spoon spring to hold the ramrod in its channel, on the Enfield P/53, was known as the Burton Pattern & was adopted circa 1856. Whether this is a different Burton again though I can't say.
Adrian.

Title: Re: Burton Carbine
Post by A._Roads on 01/09/06 at 10:31am

Further to the above I have spoken with C.H. Roads, from whose book (British Soldiers Firearm 1850 - 1864) I found the Burton info. He says that the Burton who designed the carbine tested is the same one that was involved with Harpers Ferry. Hope that solves it for you.
Adrian.