Lindner Carbine
Amoskeag Manufacturing Company · Carbine · Discontinued · 1861
Also known as: Lindner's Patent Carbine, Lindner Breech-Loading Carbine
Overview
The Lindner Carbine is a single-shot percussion breech-loading cavalry carbine used by Union forces during the American Civil War. Designed by Edward Lindner of New York (US Patent No. 23,378, 1859), it is chambered in .58 caliber and loaded with paper cartridges. Its distinctive action uses a rotating collar around the breech that, when turned 180 degrees, releases a spring-lifted breechblock to expose the chamber for loading, providing an effective seal against the gas leakage that plagued many early breechloaders. Roughly 892 First Type carbines were produced for the U.S. Government, likely by the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3200 g (112.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 953 mm (37.52") |
| Barrel Length | 508 mm (20.00") |
| Action Type | Break Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Percussion |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Magazine Type | None |
| Muzzle Velocity | 270 m/s (886 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1181 J (871 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 180 m (197 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Bright |
Calibers
- .58 Caliber Minié Ball · primary — also known as 0.58 in, 14.7 mm, .58 Springfield, .575 Minié Ball
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot Breech Loading
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Rotating Breech Collar, Spring Lifted Breechblock, Sling Ring, Paper Cartridge Loading
Service history
Operators
- United States Army · adopted 1861
- 1st Michigan Cavalry · adopted 1861
- 8th West Virginia Mounted Infantry · adopted 1863
Conflicts
- American Civil War (1861-1865)
Production
Estimated total produced: 892 · Production years: 1861-1864
892 First Type carbines manufactured on Edward Lindner's patent for the U.S. Government, likely by the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company; later Second Type improvements were not adopted.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Edward Lindner
Discontinued: 1864
Notes
Approximately 391 carbines were delivered to the 1st Michigan Cavalry around November 1861, and about 501 to the 8th West Virginia Mounted Infantry in late 1863. By the time Lindner's improved Second Type was ready, the paper cartridge had been rendered obsolete by metallic cartridges and the Army declined further orders, leaving surplus guns to be marketed in Europe.
Background
Edward Lindner's rotating-collar breech was a clever fix for the gas-leak problem of early breechloaders, but the rise of self-contained metallic cartridges made his paper-cartridge carbine obsolete almost as soon as it reached the field, leaving him to peddle unsold inventory across Europe.