Only around 1,000 Morse carbine were manufactured by the State Military Works in Greenville, South Carolina, in 1864 using machinery captured from the U.S. arsenal at Harpers Ferry. Most of the Morse carbines were issued to the South Carolina Militia; with limited numbers of the carbines issued to other Confederate forces. This rifle has a Second Type action with the breech locked by a latch that engages the bolt head (marked "5") on the breech block. The bottom of the firing pin assembly is marked "XI" or "IX." The bottom of the brass frame is marked "349." The target rifle type barrel is turned down at the muzzle for use with a starter and has a dovetailed rounded blade front sight with a bead and an adjustable sporting rear sight. The forend has an ebony or horn inlay in the tip, and the buttstock has flame figure and the original brass buttplate.

Good as period modified with dark brown patina and moderate oxidation on the barrel, dark attractively aged patina on the brass, the lower plate the frame sticking out, moderate dings and scratches concentrated on the sides of the frame, insect damage on the right side of the otherwise good butt, some splashes of red paint on the wrist and butt on the right, some cracks including along the bottom of the forend, and general moderate wear. Mechanically needs work: the detached firing pin bushing is included, and the hammer is not locking up.