Civil War Imported M1854 Austrian Extra Corps Artillery Carbine

Description:
This is a rarely seen Civil War imported M1854 Austrian Extra Corps Carbine / Musketoon. It looks like the one recovered on the Gettysburg Battlefield in a Confederate position. This one could have gone North or South? The carbine has a barrel that is a little over 26” long and is around 41” overall. The barrel has the type 1 Austrian block sight. The bore displays deep rifling and some black powder residue/ light rust and some roughness. It measures about a .58 caliber which might indicate a Northern association since they converted the original .54 calibers to .58. This carbine was made by Carl Pirko (1831-1867) of Vienna and his name appears on the lock plate. That is about the only markings I see other than a “7” on the barrel band. That might be an indication that the Carbine was made for export? This model has been modified or made with a ramrod channel and ramrod. The ramrod channel has some wood chips. The early ones used in Europe did not have ramrods attached. This ramrod has a swell that helps hold it in place. It might be a repro? The carbine’s action works fine. The metal barrel and other furniture is shiny and smooth. The stock is dry and displays some age splits and numerous handling dings but is overall solid. Depending on which historian you want to listen to, these carbines were part of the many Austrian short rifles imported by the Union or came with the caissons of Austrian artillery imported by the Confederacy. Either way it is a super rare Civil War imported carbine.

Antique: Yes

Price: $799.00