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LOT 233
Rare Civil War Confederate S.C. Robinson Sharps Type Carbine -
Serial no. 1889, 52 percussion cal., 21 inch round bbl., brown finish, walnut stock.
This Confederate copy of a Model 1859 Sharps Carbine was manufactured by S.C.
Robinson of Richmond, Virginia, in 1862. S.C. Robinson manufactured an estimated
1,900 copies of the Sharps Carbine for the Confederate Army in 1862-63. The Confederate government purchased the
Robinson factory in March 1863 and manufactured an estimated 3,000 additional Sharps type carbines. This is one of the last S.C.
Robinson made carbines. The lock plate is roll-stamped: “S.C. ROBINSON/ARMS MANUFACTORY/RICHMOND.VA/1862” in four lines. The top
of the barrel is roll-stamped: “S. C. ROBINSON/ARMS MANUFACTORY” in two lines in front of the rear sight and “RICHMOND.VA/1862” in two lines
behind it. The serial number “1889” is stamped on the rear of the lock plate. The carbine generally resembles the Model 1859 Sharps Carbine but has
some significant differences; (1) the barrel has a tapered iron front sight, (2) the rear sight is a fixed V-notch, (3) there is no provision for a pellet primer, (4) the
lock plate has a low profile, (5) the sling bar is attached to an iron plate inletted into the left side of the stock and the edge of the receiver, and (6) the stock
does not have a patch box. The forearm has a brass barrel band. The stock is fitted with a sling swivel
and brass buttplate. The stock and forearm are oil-finished walnut. The letter “H” is lightly carved into
the left side of the stock. Workmanship on Robinson and Richmond Sharps carbines typically lacked
the refinements found on Hartford Sharps carbines. The Robinson/Richmond Sharps carbines were
important Confederate weapons. Original examples are rare and inevitably display the effects of hard
wartime service.
CONDITION: Good. The carbine shows expected service wear but is well above average condition for
a Confederate weapon. The barrel has an even, dark brown patina with scattered handling dents and
some pitting along the left edge of the forearm. The front and rear sights are original and the barrel
markings are deep and clear. The receiver, lock plate, hammer and breechblock have a dark patina. There
is moderate flash pitting on the hammer, percussion nipple and adjacent portions of the receiver and
breechblock. The lock plate markings are clear. The brass buttplate and barrel band show scattered dents
and handling marks. The stock and forearm show the usual moderate-heavy wear. There is a repaired crack
in the right side of the stock wrist between the lock plate and the lower tang and several hairline
cracks that extend backward from the tang. This is a superior example of a rare Confederate
Richmond Sharps that would enhance any Civil War or U.S. martial arms collection and
is an essential piece in any collection of Confederate weapons.
Estimate: 15,000 - 25,000
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