The action of this carbine is covered by 1856 and 1858 patents by George W. Morse of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Around 655 conversions based on Morse's designs were manufactured in limited numbers at the national armories and another variation was manufactured during the Civil War for the Confederate States in South Carolina. The sporting guns based on Morse's patents were manufactured by Muzzy & Co. of Worcester, Massachusetts, in the late 1850s to around 1861 in rifle, carbine, or shotgun configurations. They can be quickly taken down and fitted with alternative barrels, and at least one complete set with a barrel of each type is known. All of the Morse firearms are very, very rare and seldom even seen, let alone offered in a public auction. It has a small combination globe and blade front sight, "MUZZY & CO. WORCESTER" on top ahead of the notch and folding ladder rear sight, "MORSE'S PATENT. [double stamped]/OCT. 20. 1856" on the tail of the lever, the matching serial number "66" or "99" on the inside of the lever and several other components, scroll and border engraving, a Schnabel forend, and smooth buttstock with an oval "MD" monogram stamp.

Very good as refinished with a plumb blend of applied blue finish and brown patina on the barrel, brown patina on most of the other surfaces, some traces of case colors, mild pitting, and light scratches and marks. Some of the markings are worn or lightly stamped. It mechanically needs work; the hammer is disconnected from the spring. The forearm is very good and has some minor scratches and dings. The buttstock is fair and has chipping and deep scrapes on the wrist, and general dings and minor scratches throughout. Overall, this is a rare carbine. This is quite possibly the first we have ever had the pleasure of offering at auction.