More than 20,000 Maynard Second Model Carbines were producedbetween 1863 and 1865 to arm Federal cavalry units. Unlike theFirst 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 theprofile of the buttstock differs between these two variants.
This percussion carbine was patented by Edward Maynard ofWashington, D.C., December 6, 1859, and manufactured by theMassachusetts Arms Company of Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts.Introduced into United States service in the late 1850s, it was putinto mass production in 1861 and performed well in the hands ofFederal troops. Its 20-inch barrel measures 36 7/8 inches inoverall length, and has no forestock. The barrel tips for loadingwhen the trigger guard lever is lowered. Percussion caps wererequired to fire a perforated .50 caliber brass cartridge thatrequired hand extraction. Early versions included the Maynard tapeprimer system, but wartime exigencies forced its elimination. Bothbarrel and buttplate were blued, and the receiver of this arm wascasehardened. Some were tinned for Navy use.
Dr. Edward Maynard (1813-1891) was both a brilliant dentist and agifted inventor. Born in Madison, New York, Maynard entered theUnited States Military Academy at West Point, but was later forcedto resign due to poor health. Prior to the Mexican War, Maynardinvented a mechanical priming system for use with percussion armswhich was intended to replace the copper primers that had been usedalmost since the invention of this ignition system.
The Maynard Tape Primer consisted of a thin shellacked paper tapewhich contained fulminate of mercury "packets" imbedded in itssurface. When the hammer was co*cked, a single primer wouldautomatically advance over the ignition cone, or "nipple," thuseliminating the need to prime the arm as a separate step in theloading process. This system was incorporated into the U.S. Model1855 rifle-musket, rifle, and pistol-carbine, and many olderlongarms were modified to employ the Maynard system as well. Tapeprimers were later abandoned due to their unsuitability for use incombat.
Perhaps Maynard's most significant firearms invention was histip-up single-shot metallic-cartridge breech loading rifle, whichhe patented in 1851. Early models employed the Maynard primersystem, but by 1865, this ignition system was replaced by aconventional percussion cone. The Maynard First Model Carbine wasadopted by the U.S. Army in 1856, which sparked the formation ofthe Maynard Arms Corporation during the following year. TheMassachusetts Arms Company of Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, laterundertook the manufacture the Maynard rifles and carbines.Approximately 5,000 First Model Carbines were produced in 1858-59in .35 and .50 caliber. The larger-bore models saw service withUnion troops in New Mexico, and some state troops and U.S. Marineswere armed with these early in the Civil War. Several Southernstates including Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, andSouth Carolina purchased Maynards from factory inventories prior tothe outbreak of war, and contracts were given for production ofadditional arms.
All told, these orders accounted for nearly half of the totalproduction for the First Model Carbine. In addition to prewarpurchases, the Confederacy also acquired Maynards through thecapture of Federal armories located in southern states. The MaynardSecond Model Carbine was produced between 1864 and 1865, with morethan 20,000 produced to arm Federal cavalry units. Unlike the FirstModel Maynard, the Second Model was produced exclusively in .50caliber. In addition, the Maynard tape primer system, patchbox, andtang sight common to the First Model were omitted, and the profileof the buttstock differs between these two variants.
The Massachusetts Arms Company continued to produce Maynard riflesuntil 1890. These arms set a standard in both target and huntingactivities in the United States. They proved to be extremelyaccurate, were well-fitted, and featured lapped barrels andinterchangeable parts made of the best materials. Maynard rifleswere available in a variety of grades ranging from an inexpensivegallery model to fancy-grade versions featuring adjustablelong-range rear sights, engraving, and checkered pistol-grip stocksand forends, and in several models which ranged in caliber from .22to .50. This proved to be a selling point, and customers wereadvised that, "You need not have several guns since you can buyinterchangeable barrels for your Maynard action."
In 1873, the addition of a special accessory made it possible toquickly convert these arms to chamber a thick-based Maynardcenter-fire cartridge that could be extracted with the fingers.This marked an early successful transition between these twoignition systems. Model 1882 Maynard rifles featured an improvedcentrally-mounted hammer with integral firing pin, and chambered arimmed-case center-fire Boxer-primed cartridge similar to thosestill in use today. The Massachusetts Arms Company failed duringthe 1890s, due in part to the firm's inability or unwillingness toconvert to newer mass-production methods, as well as to the risingpopularity of the repeating rifle. The firm's assets were purchasedby the Stevens Arms & Tool Company, also located in ChicopeeFalls.
After leaving West Point, Maynard served a brief apprenticeship indentistry, establishing a practice in Washington, D. C. circa 1833.He proved to be a brilliant dental scientist, and helped bringdentistry from "the deplorable depths of quackery" to a sciencededicated to the betterment of mankind. In eight short years hemoved to a major position of prominence in the field of dentistry.By 1841, at age 28, he was one of the first recipients of thehonorary degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery from Baltimore College.Maynard was also awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Medicinefrom Western Medical College. Maynard's contemporaries sometimesreferred to him as the blacksmith dentist because he spent so muchtime at the forge making better dental tools, including drills andother surgical instruments.
A leading teacher, Dr. Maynard developed a number of ways toimprove dental education. He was appointed Chairman of Theory andPractice at the Baltimore Dental College and held a similarposition at the National University in Washington D.C. In thesepositions, Maynard insisted on aptitude testing which included notonly academic aptitude but also the motor skills necessary in thefield of dentistry. As a teaching aid, he produced a set of cleardentures complete with cavities to demonstrate to students theinternal appearance of dental fillings.
Dr. Maynard was extremely gifted in his ability to calm and gainthe confidence of his patients. Extremely concerned about pain, hesought and found ways to reduce suffering during dental surgery.Russia's Tsar Nicholas I was so impressed with Maynard's work onthe royal root canal that he offered him the job of ImperialDentist, a position of nobility which carried the rank of major inthe Russian Army, to induce him to stay in St. Petersburg. Maynarddeclined but did accept a large ring with 60 diamonds as a token ofthe Tsar's appreciation. He also charged the Tsar a very heathyfee.
He also served as dentist for several presidents, ambassadors andmany congressman and senators. Dr. Maynard died in Washington onMay 4, 1891.
