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Desirable Civil War Confederate Richmond Produced Carbines
Approximately 1,900 Confederate Sharps carbines were produced by S.C. Robinson before the Confederate Government purchased the factory in March 1863
Sharps’ Breech Loading Percussion Saddle Ring Carbine
- Serial no. 171, 52 cal., 21 5/8 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut
stock. This is one of approximately 1,900 Sharps type carbines that were manufactured
by S.C. Robinson, located in the Confederate capitol of Richmond, for the Confederate Army
between 1862-1863. The Confederate government purchased the S.C. Robinson factory in March 1863 and manufactured an additional estimated 3,000 carbines. Other sources state approximately 5,200 of these carbines
were manufactured in total. 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 “S.C. ROBINSON/ARMS MANUFACTORY/RICHMOND.VA/1862” and the top of the barrel is marked “S.C. ROBINSON/
ARMS MANUFACTORY” in front of the fixed notch rear sight and “RICHMOND.VA/1862” behind it. The barrel has a “pinched” blade front and dovetail mounted notch rear sight. Matching serial
number “171” marked on the rear of the lock plate, upper tang, and underneath the breech end of the
barrel. Brass barrel band and buttplate. Initials “JWB” lightly carved into the left of the buttstock. 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.
CONDITION: Fair, exhibiting genuine Confederate use with dark brown patina overall, extensive scattered moderate pitting, and mostly clear markings in the metal. Brass barrel band and buttplate retain an attractive untouched dark patina with scattered dings from period use. Wood is good as re-oiled with scattered dings and scratches, a re-glued cracked section at the right tip of the forend, a re-glued cracked section at the left of the forearm below the breech, a chip behind the upper left rear of the frame, a re-glued chip and a crack behind the lock, a crack behind the sideplate, a few small cracks behind the upper tang, some cracks around the buttplate tang, and a chip at the toe. Mechanically fine. This rare S.C. Robinson “Sharps” carbine serves as an important Confederate weapon, and proudly displays signs of hard combat use. A solid representative example of one of the most iconic
Confederate weapons!
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
Model 1855 rifled musket. Richmond Armory had no use for the priming device, so to speed up production they merely used the old dies. The lock is dated “1864” at the tail and marked “C.S/RICHMOND,VA.” towards the front. The left quarter barrel flat is correctly marked with the “V/P/eagle head” proofs (partial). The carbine was originally finished armory bright with a casehardened lock.
Pinched blade iron front sight and modern replacement folding leaf rear sight. Hammer screw is a period made brass replacement. The carbine is mounted in a
full length straight grip stock with the correct tulip head iron ramrod, brass forend cap, and brass carbine buttplate. Absent rear sling swivel with a period screw plugging the hole in
the bottom of the buttstock.
CONDITION: Good with gray/brown patina overall, scattered light to moderate pitting, mild flash pitting at the breech, and defined lock markings. Stock is also good as lightly sanded
and re-oiled with scattered scratches, dents, chips, a crack ahead of the rear lock screw, absent chipped sections behind the barrel tang, to the right of the barrel tang, and below the
lock. Brass forend cap exhibits a golden aged patina. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000 51
LOT 3080
Rare Civil War S.C. Robinson First Type ‘Confederate
LOT 3081
Very Scarce Civil War Confederate Richmond Percussion
Carbine Dated 1864 - NSN, 58 cal., 25 inch round bbl., bright/casehardened finish,
walnut stock. These arms were manufactured between 1861-1865 using machinery captured from
the Harpers Ferry Armory in April of 1861 and moved to Confederate ordnance facilities in Richmond,
Virginia. This carbine has the distinctive “humpback” lock made from forgings and dies, taken from Harpers Ferry Armory, which were originally patterned for locks intended for use with the Maynard tape priming system on the U.S.