Rare Confederate Richmond Sharps Carbine, 38" overall length, 21" barrel, 50 caliber percussion breechloader, stamped "S.G. ...

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Rare Confederate Richmond Sharps Carbine, 38" overall length, 21" barrel, 50 caliber percussion breechloader, stamped "S.G. ROBINSON./ ARMS MANUFACTORY./RICHMOND, VA/1862" on lockplate with serial number "172" at rear of lockplate, one brass barrel band, brass buttplate, rear sight, "S.C. ROBINSON/ ARMS MANUFACTORY" stamped on barrel before rear sight, "RICHMOND, VA/ 1862" stamped on barrel behind rear sight. Working hammer, however the breech is hung. Old brown patina with moderate pitting on ferrous elements, brass enjoys dark toning, walnut has digs from use under a glossy patina. Good condition. Fewer than 2,000 of these weapons were produced. Copied from the Yankee-made Model 1859 Sharps, the Richmond product was effective yet inevitably cruder.

Kent Wall's Report:
Samuel C. Robinson, a prominent business man and property owner in Richmond, Virginia, formed the S. C. Robinson Arms Manufactory in the early days of the Civil War. The Confederate government entered into a contract with the company to manufacture carbines on the Sharps pattern, Model of 1859, but in .52 caliber. Robinson was in a hurry to begin and this haste produced a variety of problems resulting in an unfortunate and undeserved reputation for the Robinson carbine.
Full production did not begin until December, 1862, and lasted until the following March at which time production was taken over by the government. Government produced carbines were virtually identical to Robinson's with no break in the serial number sequence. Only the markings changed.
Production continued until early 1864 when the machinery was transferred to a new armory at Tallassee, Alabama.
Robinson production may have reached 2,000 carbines.
This carbine, serial number 171, is 38" overall with a 21" round, iron barrel. The breech block, saddle ring and bar, front sight, sling swivel, and hammer are also iron. The buttplate and single barrel band are brass.
Markings include "S. C. Robinson" over "Arms Manufactory" over "Richmond VA" over "1862" in four lines on the lockplate to the rear of the hammer. "S. C. Robinson" over "Arms Manufactory" in two lines forward of the rear sight. "Richmond VA" over "1862" in two lines behind the rear sight. SN "171" is found on the left of the lockplate and on the tang.
The barrel band could not be removed.
Condition: Fair. The carbine is dirty throughout. The iron parts evidence surface rust and pitting. The brass buttplate is dinged. The carbine is mechanically sound. There is a repair to the stock at the grip extending into the comb on the right side.