The Galleries
- Robert E. Petersen Collection
- Ancient Firearms
- The Road to American Liberty
- Seeds of Greatness
- The Prospering New Republic
- A Nation Asunder
- The American West
- Innovation, Oddities and Competition
- Theodore Roosevelt, Elegant Arms
- World War I and Firearms Innovation
- WWII, Korea, Vietnam and Beyond
- For the Fun of It
- Firearms Traditions for Today
- William B. Ruger Special Exhibits
- Freedom's Doorway
Massachusetts Arms Co. Maynard First Model Carbine
This model of breechloading carbine was used by Florida troops in Confederate service. The Maynard carbine was invented by Dr. Edward Maynard, who was also responsible for developing the Maynard priming system that was used in the U.S. Model 1855 Rifle-Musket.
Dr. Edward Maynard (1813-1891) was both a brilliant dentist and
a gifted inventor. Born in Madison, New York, Maynard entered the
United States Military Academy at West Point, but was later forced
to resign due to poor health. Prior to the Mexican War, Maynard
invented a mechanical priming system for use with percussion arms
which was intended to replace the copper primers that had been used
almost since the invention of this ignition system. The Maynard
Tape Primer consisted of a thin shellacked paper tape which
contained fulminate of mercury "packets" imbedded in its surface.
When the hammer was cocked, a single primer would automatically
advance over the ignition cone, or "nipple," thus eliminating the
need to prime the arm as a separate step in the loading
process.
This system was incorporated into the U.S. Model 1855 rifle-musket,
rifle, and pistol-carbine, and many older longarms were modified to
employ the Maynard system as well. Tape primers were later
abandoned due to their unsuitability for use in combat. Perhaps
Maynard's most significant firearms invention was his tip-up
single-shot metallic-cartridge breech loading rifle, which he
patented in 1851. Early models employed the Maynard primer system,
but by 1865, this ignition system was replaced by a conventional
percussion cone.
The Maynard First Model Carbine was adopted by the U.S. Army in
1856, which sparked the formation of the Maynard Arms Corporation
during the following year. The Massachusetts Arms Company of
Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, later undertook the manufacture the
Maynard rifles and carbines. Approximately 5,000 First Model
Carbines were produced in 1858-59 in .35 and .50 caliber. The
larger-bore models saw service with Union troops in New Mexico, and
some state troops and U.S. Marines were armed with these early in
the Civil War.
Several Southern states, including Florida, Georgia, Mississippi,
Louisiana, and South Carolina purchased Maynards from factory
inventories prior to the outbreak of war, and contracts were given
for production of additional arms. All told, these orders accounted
for nearly half of the total production for the First Model
Carbine. In addition to prewar purchases, the Confederacy also
acquired Maynards through the capture of Federal armories located
in southern states.
The Maynard Second Model Carbine was produced between 1864 and
1865, with more than 20,000 produced to arm Federal cavalry units.
Unlike the First Model Maynard, the Second Model was produced
exclusively in .50 caliber. In addition, the Maynard tape primer
system, patchbox, and tang sight common to the First Model were
omitted, and the profile of the buttstock differs between these two
variants. The Massachusetts Arms Company continued to produce
Maynard rifles until 1890.
These arms set a standard in both target and hunting activities in
the United States. They proved to be extremely accurate, were
well-fitted, and featured lapped barrels and interchangeable parts
made of the best materials. Maynard rifles were available in a
variety of grades ranging from an inexpensive gallery model to
fancy-grade versions featuring adjustable long-range rear sights,
engraving, and checkered pistol-grip stocks and forends, and in
several models which ranged in caliber from .22 to .50. This proved
to be a selling point, and customers were advised that, "You need
not have several guns since you can buy interchangeable barrels for
your Maynard action."
In 1873, the addition of a special accessory made it possible to
quickly convert these arms to chamber a thick-based Maynard
center-fire cartridge that could be extracted with the fingers.
This marked an early successful transition between these two
ignition systems. Model 1882 Maynard rifles featured an improved
centrally-mounted hammer with integral firing pin, and chambered a
rimmed-case center-fire Boxer-primed cartridge similar to those
still in use today. The Massachusetts Arms Company failed during
the 1890s, due in part to the firm's inability or unwillingness to
convert to newer mass-production methods, as well as to the rising
popularity of the repeating rifle. The firm's assets were purchased
by the Stevens Arms & Tool Company, also located in Chicopee
Falls.
After leaving West Point, Maynard served a brief apprenticeship in
dentistry, establishing a practice in Washington, D. C. circa 1833.
He proved to be a brilliant dental scientist, and helped bring
dentistry from "the deplorable depths of quackery" to a science
dedicated to the betterment of mankind. In eight short years he
moved to a major position of prominence in the field of
dentistry.
By 1841, at age 28, he was one of the first recipients of the
honorary degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery from Baltimore College.
Maynard was also awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Medicine
from Western Medical College. Maynard's contemporaries sometimes
referred to him as the blacksmith dentist because he spent so much
time at the forge making better dental tools, including drills and
other surgical instruments. A leading teacher, Dr. Maynard
developed a number of ways to improve dental education. He was
appointed Chairman of Theory and Practice at the Baltimore Dental
College and held a similar position at the National University in
Washington D.C.
In these positions, Maynard insisted on aptitude testing which
included not only academic aptitude but also the motor skills
necessary in the field of dentistry. As a teaching aid, he produced
a set of clear dentures complete with cavities to demonstrate to
students the internal appearance of dental fillings. Dr. Maynard
was extremely gifted in his ability to calm and gain the confidence
of his patients. Extremely concerned about pain, he sought and
found ways to reduce suffering during dental surgery.
Russia's Tsar Nicholas I was so impressed with Maynard's work on
the royal root canal that he offered him the job of Imperial
Dentist, a position of nobility which carried the rank of major in
the Russian Army, to induce him to stay in St. Petersburg. Maynard
declined but did accept a large ring with 60 diamonds as a token of
the Tsar's appreciation. He also charged the Tsar a very heathy
fee.
He also served as dentist for several presidents, ambassadors and
many congressman and senators. Dr. Maynard died in Washington on
May 4, 1891.