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RICHMOND SHARPS CARBINE BY S. C. ROBINSON

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Presented here is a Richmond-made, straight-breech Confederate Sharps carbine. Of the approximately 5,000 firearms called “Richmond Carbines” made for the Confederate government between 1862 and 1864, 1,900 were produced at the S.C. Robinson Arms Manufactory. On March 1, 1863, the Confederate government purchased Robinson’s facility, which became known as the Confederate Carbine Factory and began its own production run estimated at 3,000.

This carbine is a .52 caliber percussion arm with a 21” long round and six-groove rifled barrel. It features a simple pinched-iron dovetailed tapered blade front sight. Rear sight is missing but, the dovetail, steady pin cut-out and screw remnants are still in place. No markings on top of the barrel. An undisturbed witness mark, between the receiver and barrel face, are visible. The barrel is attached to the stock by single brass band held in place by a band spring at bottom of the forearm. The barrel surface wears a nice even dark patina with very light surface corrosion in a few spots. The bore has good rifling but, is somewhat dirty.

The lock-plate is mottled dark and gun metal grey. It is stamped with serial number, “1288”. The receiver is a typical Sharps-style with a trigger guard/lever activated, drop-down breech block. The receiver shows wear and numerous file marks on the exterior of the surface, which is typical for confederate manufactured firearms. The tang holds a dark patina with stamped serial number “2684”. The number is different from the one on the lock but, both confederate products. Stamped in four lines behind the hammer on the lock is “S. C. ROBINSON ARMS MANUFACTORY RICHMOND VA. 1862.” Top surface of the breech block shows wear and some pitting. Nice sharp cartridge cutting edge is present. The cartridge loading cut out in the receiver shows a small hole. It does not affect integrity and appears to be a casting flaw that was subsequently milled through during hurried fabrication in Richmond. Hammer and original nipple are in excellent condition.  On this pattern, the lever pivots on a screw instead of a “key” as found on the actual Hartford models. The screw head is battered and very used. A piece that would be frequently removed for cleaning. Action works properly.

Carbine has a two-piece walnut stock. The forearm is smooth and does not show many handling marks. A crack is visible along the entire bottom side of the forearm from the breech to and through the band spring, stopping at the front point. An approximate 3/8” round piece of wood is missing at the very center of the tip, associated with the crack. The left side of the forearm shows a small tack hole in front of the barrel band. During rushed production in the confederacy, stock wood was not seasoned properly and frequently cracked or warped. An intentional ¼” half round mortise was cut in the bottom of the forearm near the loading lever. A known flaw with the sharps pattern was an excess build-up of powder collecting under the forearm and eventually igniting. This mortise cut would allow extra powder to fall straight out of the underside. The butt has a brass butt-plate that fits tight along the bottom. It has a dark undisturbed patina and is free of large dents. The tang mortise side fit with the wood is loose in the corners, most likely due to wood shrinkage. The butt also has an approximate 1/2'” square period chip out behind the lock plate rear. The sling swivel bar is intact but, the ring itself is missing. The forward screw has a smaller diameter head than the original but, looks like an old replacement. Single sling swivel is also present in the butt.

Overall, a good example of a Confederate produced firearm that saw heavy service in the cavalry.  [stp][ph:L]

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire.

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