S.C. Robinson manufactured an estimated 1,900 copies of the Sharps Carbine for the Confederate Army in 1862-63. The Confederate government purchased the Robinson factory in March 1863 and manufactured an additional estimated 3,000 carbines. Like most Confederate weapons, 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." 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, and a "pinched" blade front sight is at the front. The serial number stamped on the rear of the lock plate and the upper tang. The barrel band and buttplate are brass. Missing the saddle bar.

Fair, almost relic condition with dark brown applied patina/brown lacquer, heavy oxidation and pitting, mostly legible original markings, chip at the buttplate tang, absent saddle ring bar, gaps around the plate on the left side of the wrist, repaired chip above the lock, and scrapes and dings. Mechanically fine. The Robinson "Sharps" carbines were important Confederate weapons, are rare, and inevitably display the effects of hard wartime service. A solid representative example of one of the most iconic Confederate weapons.