Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! The clever Lindner breech-loading system brought modest success amidst repeated setbacks. Inventor Edward Lindner tirelessly promoted his 1859 patented design, converting obsolete muzzleloaders for evaluation by the Ordnance Department. Though the guns performed adequately, garnering small orders, defects like gas leakage and fragile components hampered adoption. Still, in 1861 and 1862, a run of approximately 892 streamlined First Type carbines were assembled for Union cavalry units, likely by New Hampshire’s Amoskeag Manufacturing Company. Of these initial Lindners, 391 found their way to Michigan horsemen by November 1861. The balance joined the 8th West Virginia Mounted Infantry in late 1863. But the outdated paper cartridges and coarse iron fittings colored the handy carbines obsolete, as by 1863 the Spencer repeater dominated Union requirements.
“This is one of the reported 892 First Type carbines manufactured based on Edward Lindner’s patent for the U.S. Government during the Civil War. They were likely manufactured at Amoskeag Manufacture Co.. Of the 892 First Type carbines manufactured, 391 were delivered to the Michigan Cavalry around November 1861, and 501 were delivered to the 8th West Virginia Mounted Infantry in late 1863. This example has the correct First Type breechblock patent marking: “EDWARD LINDNER’S/PATENT/MARCH 29, 1859,” and the lock plate is correctly not marked. A saddle ring is mounted on the left side of the stock. The carbine has a blade front sight and a two leaf rear sight. A faint inspector’s cartouche is stamped near the buttplate tang.”
Lot 1113: Lindner Carbine 58 percussion – Scarce Civil War First Type Lindner Breech Loading Percussion Saddle Ring Carbine. (n.d.-d). Rock Island Auction Company. photograph. Retrieved January 10, 2024, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/68/1113/lindner-carbine-58-percussion.
