AR810 - US Civil War Burnside cavalry carbine: . 54” 5th Model           
 
A .54” calibre 5th Model capping breech loading Burnside cavalry carbine of the 2nd Tennessee Cavalry regiment. A good US Civil War carbine, Federal issue, which saw much action and service during the conflict.
 
The 5th Model incorporates the Hartshorn and Bacon improvements, making it easier to manipulate the action and load/eject cartridges. Deliveries of 5th model Burnside carbines began from April 1863, making this just right for Civil War usage. This example is a later contract with the Model of 1864 on the receiver, probably Spring or early Summer 1864.
 
The 20¾” sighted barrel is fitted with a flip-up rear sight; the breech is stamped with the manufacturer's details and the serial number: 2417 to the top of the breech with BURNSIDE PATENT over MODEL OF 1864. The block is numbered 25576 and the plain rounded action has the additional screw on the right hand side, denoting this as a 5th Model. The back action lock is stamped with the manufacturer's details. On the left hand side, it retains the saddle bar and ring.  The left hand side of the butt, at the wrist, has the inspector’s three letter cartouche (although indistinct). The butt has been “personalised”, with the owner cutting NCT (likely his initials); CO D over 2 TEN to the left hand side, and NT on the right hand side of the butt. I take this to mean 2nd  Tennessee cavalry regiment, Company D
 
The 2nd Tennessee was organized in East Tennessee July to November, 1862, the original muster rolls were destroyed at Nolensville, December 30, 1862; it was re-mustered at Murfreesboro, January 26, 1863 and mustered out at Nashville, July 6, 1865. 
For more information on the quite active role of the 2nd Tennessee, see: https://tngenweb.org/civilwar/2nd-tennessee-cavalry-regiment/