The N.P. Ames company of Springfield, MA, manufactured approx. 4,250 Jenks carbines for the U.S. Navy between 1843 and 1846. This is a standard configuration Ames-manufactured 54 caliber percussion sidehammer breechloading "mule ear" Jenks carbine in very fine condition. The 24.25" round barrel has an excellent rifled bore. The barrel retains approx. 95% of its original brown finish. It is marked at the breech W. JENKS (very small letters) over USN over RP over P over 1845. The lock plate, which retains all its blue finish, is marked N.P. AMES over SPRINGFILED over MASS. The side hammer has a little edge wear to its blue. The loading lever has approx. 95% of its blue with the remainder turning plum. The brass bands, trigger guard, and butt plate are fine. The sling ring is present on the rear trigger guard tang. The stock is very good with RP (slight mar through it) and JL cartouches, no cracks or chips, a storage dent on the left above the trigger, and a scrape above that. There are no cracks or chips. The action functions correctly. This very nice Mexican and Civil War firearm is ready for a naval, Mexican War, or Civil War collection. It's a cut above most that you will see.