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Very Fine Jenks "Mule Ear" Carbine

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,400.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Very Fine Jenks  Mule Ear  Carbine
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Estimate: $3500 - 5500
Manufactured in 1845 by N.P. Ames of Springfield, Massachusetts from a total production of approximately 4,250. The vast majority of these carbines were made for the U.S. Navy and they were the only "mule ear" type arm that was officially accepted by U.S. armed forces. The lock is marked "WM JENKS" at the rear and "N.P. AMES / SPRINGFIELD / MASS" behind the hammer, and "WM JENKS" followed by "USN / RC / P / 1845" on top of the breech end of the barrel. The bottom of the trigger guard, buttplate tang and the rear of the lower tang are stamped with a small "R". The front sight is integral to the front barrel band and the rear sight is a groove on top of the breechblock. Brass barrel bands, trigger guard and buttplate with a sling ring mounted on the rear of the trigger guard plate. Brown barrel, and casehardened breechblock and frame. Mounted with a smooth full walnut straight grip stock with a boxed "RP" and "JL" cartouches on the left stock wrist.
BBL: 24 1/4 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 54 percussion
Finish: brown/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: 2339
Condition: Very fine. The barrel retains 95% plus original brown finish with some muzzle wear, a small worn area midway on top and some scattered minor thinning. The lock assembly retains 98% original bright case colors. The brass remains bright. The lightly sanded/reoiled stock is fine with storage marks present. The cartouches are faint, metal markings clear and crisp, and the mechanics are excellent.