(<< Back)

Item No.:	8149	Price :	SOLD
Item :	CIVIL WAR, U.S. JENKS "MULE EAR" NAVAL CARBINE

Description :

Here is an original, Jenks "Mule Ear" Carbine manufactured by N.P. Ames of Springfield, Massachusetts. They were built in 1843-1846 under a Navy contract. Approximatel 4,250 were produced. The Jenks was a .54 caliber, breech loading, single shot arm with a side hammer lock and a hammer that resembled a mule's ear. It was loaded with a round ball and loose powder through an aperture in the breech. Originally smooth bored, in 1861 the majority of Jenks carbines were rifled and converted to fire a paper cartridge for service in the Civil War. The round aperture in the breech was machined to an oval. The Jenks has the distinction of being the only "Mule Ear" type firearm ever adopted by the U.S. Military. This Jenks is in very good condition. The barrel and lock plate have a steel color with a fairly heavy speckling of smooth dark brown patina. The "U.S.N." marking is faint, but visible. The hammer and breech lever are a smooth solid dark brown. The brass stock furniture has a nice dark bronze patina. The mechanism works very well. The bore is dark and could benefit from a good scrubbing. There is some surface pitting, but the rifling remains strong. The stock is good, with some small dings and scratches from use. There is a crack extending from the rear lock plate screw around the wrist, through the base of the breech tang and then forward on the left side of the stock about 2". The Jenks is a nice early American Martial Arm that saw service through the Civil War. Stock no. 21427

HOME | ABOUT US | TERMS | WANTS | LINKS

Contents & Photos Copyright © 2001- 2024 CSArms, Inc., All Rights Reserved.

Site design by Sam Lisker