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
U.S. N P Ames Jenks Percussion Carbine
This side-hammer breechloader is stamped with naval inspector marks. A total of about 4,250 of these Jenks "Mule Ear" carbines were made in the period c. 1843-1846. SN 1437
Jenks (U.S.) Model 1841 Navy Swing-block Percussion Musket
(single-shot/ breech-loading/ black powder/ ball ammunition)
During the Mexican War, a single-shot breech-loading carbine was
widely used by the United States Navy. Designed by William Jenks,
about 4,000 of these arms were manufactured for the Navy by N.P.
Ames of Springfield, Massachusetts. These carbines are stamped by
naval inspectors. 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.
- Dr. William L. Roberts, THE AMERICAN LIBERTY COLLECTION; #54