The carbine was built based on the Sharps straight breech design but has no tape priming system, no Sharps markings, generally more rough construction, and is marked "RICHMOND VA" on the barrel. The basic design resembles the Robinson Sharps copy manufactured for the Confederacy in Richmond currently at the National Firearms Museum other than the lack of maker's marks. It is also marked with "4469" on the lock and upper tang. It is equipped with a "pinched" blade front sight, notch rear sight, smooth stock and forearm, brass buttplate, and saddle ring and bar. The left side of the buttstock is carved with "Perkins./Co. E. H. L." The specific soldier has not been identified, but there are 1,420 hits in the National Park Service database for Confederate soldiers with the last name Perkins.

Very good and well above average for a Confederate weapon. The carbine appears to have remnants of a tinned finish on the barrel and mostly displays a blend of gray and brown patina and some minor oxidation. The brass buttplate has an attractive goldenrod patina. The wood has been sanded and re-oiled. The crude period replacement forearm has a few handling and storage type marks. The buttstock has a repaired crack below the sling bar mount, some gaps around the inlets, and a few notches and dings. The action functions fine and the markings are crisp.