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LOT 3271
Rare Civil War S.C. Robinson First Type
“Confederate Sharps” Breech Loading Percussion Saddle Ring
Carbine - Serial no. 1878, 52 cal., 21 7/8 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock.
Approximately 1,900 Sharps type carbines were manufactured by S.C. Robinson, located
in the Confederate capitol of Richmond, for the Confederate Army between 1862-1863,
referred to as first types, per “Flayderman’s Guide” (9th Edition, 10-054). The Confederate
government subsequently purchased the S.C. Robinson factory in March 1863 and manufactured an
additional estimated 3,000 carbines, referred to as second types, which did not carry S.C. Robinson markings.
Like most Confederate weapons, surviving examples of these carbines are difficult to find in any condition
and typically show signs of hard use. They likely saw use primarily with cavalry units like their Union
counterparts. The lock plate is roll-stamped in four lines “S.C. ROBINSON./ARMS MANUFACTORY./RICHMOND.
VA/1862” and the top breech area of the barrel is marked “RICHMOND.VA”. The barrel has a “pinched” blade front sight and
dovetail mounted notch rear sight. Matching serial number “1878” marked on the upper receiver tang, tail of the lock plate, and
bottom breech area of the barrel. Brass barrel band and buttplate. Information on these carbines and other examples pictured can
be found on pages 248-263 of the book, “Confederate Carbines & Musketoons” by John M. Murphy and Howard Michael Madaus. The
consignor indicated this carbine was purchase from a Paul Carillo on April 13, 1973.
CONDITION: Fine, well above average for a Confederate issued weapon, with mostly bright iron surfaces, attractive bright golden
patina on the brass, some scattered patches of minor pitting, and distinct markings and edges in the metal overall. Wood is very good with
numerous scattered dents, scratches and scuffs consistent with some period use, some cracks visible at the tip of the forearm and toe, a few small chips, and
defined edges. Mechanically fine. This rare S.C. Robinson “Confederate Sharps” carbine would make a fine addition to any Civil War firearms collection!
Provenance: The Paul Carillo Collection; Private Collection.
Estimate: 16,000 - 25,000
LOT 3272
Extremely Rare Civil War Confederate Keen, Walker & Co. Breech Loading
Percussion Saddle Ring Carbine - NSN, 54 cal., 22 1/2 inch round bbl., bright/casehardened
finish, walnut stock. This breech loading cavalry carbine is one of a reported 282 believed to have been
manufactured by Keen, Walker & Company of Danville, Virginia between May and September of 1862 for use by
the Confederacy during the Civil War, per pages 151-152 of “Confederate Carbines & Musketoons” (2002) by John M. Murphy
and Howard Michael Madaus. There are only a small amount of surviving examples known today. According to “Confederate Arms” by
Albaugh and Simmons, these carbines were believed to have been designed by inventor N. T. Read under a Confederate patent (possibly
number 154, granted March 20th, 1863), although page 151 of the book “Confederate Carbines & Musketoons” mentions that the authors
disagree and it is still up for debate. This writer was unable to locate any further information or an illustration of the aforementioned patent. The breech
block mechanism shares similarities with the Hall rifles and carbines, as well as similarities to the Perry carbine, and the carbine itself shares only slight visual similarities
with the Maynard carbines, hence “Flayderman’s Guide” referring to these as a “Maynard or Perry Brass Frame Carbine” (9th Edition, 10-039). The frame of these carbines
has since been discovered to consist of bronze rather than brass as referenced through an invoice from the Confederate States to Keen, Walker & Company, dated July
8, 1862 for “4,940 lbs of bronze-$1,976”. It has a blade front sight, notch rear sight, seven-groove rifling, sling bar and ring mounted on the left of the frame, Maynard
style buttstock, and iron buttplate. There are no visible markings on the outside of the carbine, with Roman numeral assembly number “XXVI” carved in the concealed
area of the upper tang as well as in the upper stock channel. Other examples of these carbines have been known to have similarly marked Roman numerals. Relevant
information on these carbines and other examples pictured can be found on pages 151-157 of the book, “Confederate Carbines & Musketoons” (2002) by Murphy and
Madaus. The consignor indicated this carbine was purchased from Dave Taylor on September 12, 2020.
CONDITION: Good as Confederate issued, with brown patina and scattered pitting on the iron surfaces, a soldered repair visible on the hammer, and attractive dark
golden aged patina on the bronze frame with numerous dings visible on either side from period use. Stock is also good as sanded and re-oiled, with some scattered
dents and nicks. Replacement sling ring. Mechanically fine. Confederate Keen, Walker & Co. carbines rarely turn up in any condition!
Provenance: Dave Taylor; Private Collection.
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
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