The State Military Works in Greenville, South Carolina, manufactured approximately 1,000 of these brass frame, breech loading carbines during the Civil War. George W. Morse invented and patented this breech loading system as well as the cased center-fire cartridge it uses; considered to be one of the earliest of its kind in using what is the precursor to the modern day firearms cartridge. These carbines were manufactured on machinery which had been captured by the Confederates from the Harpers Ferry Armory. Interestingly, Morse had started work on overseeing the alteration of muskets to his breech loading system at the government owned Harpers Ferry Armory just prior to the outbreak of the Civil War, and continued his work during the war, now in support of the Confederacy, using some of the same captured machinery. The majority of the Morse carbines were issued to the South Carolina Militia with limited numbers issued to other Confederate forces. It is chambered in .50 caliber centerfire and is loaded by raising the breechblock upward. It correctly lacks maker markings; with only the last few production examples found with maker markings other than the serial number. The serial number "763" is marked on the underside of the frame and breech cover. The breech cover has an iron latch with finger serrations. The barrel is fitted with fixed blade front and notch rear sights. Mounted in a smooth butternut forearm and straight grip stock. Brass tipped iron ramrod. Information on Morse carbines and other examples pictured can be found on pages 176-198 of the book, "Confederate Carbines & Musketoons" by John M. Murphy and Howard Michael Madaus.