Description
This is a 54-Caliber side hammer breech loading carbine a.k.a. “Mule Ear.” It has an oval loading port and a 24 ¼” barrel. The top of the breech is marked Cast Steel and above it the date 1847 above that P above that RP and above that U.S.N. above that W. Jenks. The inside of the loading lever is number 539. With the oval loading port, a paper cartridge with ball and powder could be loaded much quicker than the round ball and loose powder. The mechanical function is very good and tight. The barrel at the muzzle end is pitted but the rifling is very strong and the rest of the bore is bright and shiny.
