Description
This is a top quality museum grade example of the US Navy side-hammer breechloader and is properly stamped with naval inspector marks. It is a 95%+ finish weapon which retains about total arsenal browning and case colors. A total of about 4,250 of these Jenks “Mule Ear” carbines were made in the period c. 1843-1846. Technically, it is noted as a Jenks (U.S.) Model 1841 Navy Swing-block Percussion Musket (single-shot/ breech-loading/ black powder/ ball ammunition).
During the Mexican War and Civil War, the single-shot breech-loading carbine was widely used by the United States Navy. Designed by William Jenks, about 4,250 of these arms were manufactured for the Navy by N.P. Ames of Springfield, Massachusetts. They are fired by means of a percussion cone mounted on the right side. This location requires a hammer that swings sideways. When in its cocked position, the side hammer looks something like a mule’s ear. These carbines are among the first percussion arms to be used in U.S. maritime combat.
