A Very Fine Second Model Maynard Percussion Capping Breech Loading Cavalry Carbine. 36 ½” overall, 20” round to octagonal tip-up barrel fitted with dovetailed pinched blade, front sight & three leaf rear sights, the right side of the frame stamped ‘MANUFACTURED BY MASS. ARMS CO. CHICOPEE FALLS’, the left side stamped ‘EDWARD MAYNARD PATENTEE MAY27 1851 DEC 6 1859’. Iron mounted walnut butt, stock stamped with two clear inspecting officer's cartouches on the left (GWS) & (JM) Major Julian McAllister and ‘22701 1865’ on lower tang.
Serial no. 22701 for 1865.
In very good condition, walnut stock unmarked, most original finish, mint bore. Sling swivel not fitted. One of the very last Maynards made.
Designed by Dr Edward Maynard, a dentist and inventor of the tape priming system that carries his name. The action is a very simple design and that maybe is why it works so well, it features a barrel that tips down by lowering the lever extension of the trigger-guard and pushing it forward. A reloadable brass cartridge with a wide head is inserted, ignition is by the standard percussion cap and nipple. The system was one of the few to survive and do well on the commercial market after the Civil War. Manufacture was by the Massachusetts Arms Co., although not supplying Maynard carbines to the Government until 1864 they did supply some to Northern states. In the run up to conflict quantities went South, at least 2,500 went to the states of Georgia, Florida and Mississippi. In June 1863 General Ripley signed a contract for the supply of 20,000 Maynard carbines, deliveries were a year late and the first 1000 not received until June 1864 and the final shipment in May 1865. Due to late delivery they were not extensively used. They were issued to the 6th, 9th & 11th Indiana cavalry as well as the 10th and 11th Tennessee.