The easy breech access made for a quick reloading weapon by 1850's technology - especially when compared to the muzzle-loading rifles still in use at the time. Maynard Carbines were noted for their ease of operation, ease of maintenance and simple construction - as such it was favored by many users who found her a pleasure to fire with little violent recoil to contend with and proving very accurate at range. A folding rear sight at the receiver provided a setting for 100, 200 and 300 yards which aligned with a forward post sight. A trained shooter could reach ranges out to 600 yards and a rate-of-fire nearing 12 rounds per minute. The carbine was also compact, measuring 40 inches long with a 20 inch barrel which proved valuable for mounted infantry. The stock was of walnut while no forend was used - the latter representing something of an issue when a hot barrel developed over prolonged usage.
The Maynard Carbine appeared in two notable production forms differentiated simply as "First Model" and "Second Model" (also the "Model 1863"). First Model carbines appeared from 1858 to 1859 and were identified by their patchbox located in the stock as well as use of Dr. Maynard's tape primer system. Production totaled only 5,000 units and notable recipients included the 9th Pennsylvania and 1st Wisconsin infantry regiments. Some governmental departments were also given the type as were U.S. Marines. Use of the First Model went beyond these northern groups for procurement was also made by the hundreds by the states of Florida, Georgia and Mississippi while the militia forces of Louisiana and South Carolina also took on stocks. First Models appeared in their traditional .50 caliber form but were also seen in a lesser-known .35 caliber form. During the Civil War, the guns were highly acclaimed by Confederate Army forces as well as Union cavalry.
Following the First Model was the Second Model which lacked the patchbox in the stock and the tape primer system. Production of this version was vastly greater at 20,000 units and these appeared during the span of 1863 into 1865. Some notable recipients of the Second Model became the 9th Indiana, the 11th Indiana and the 11th Tennessee infantry regiments among others.
Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
