These arms were manufactured between 1861-1865 using machinery captured from the Harpers Ferry Armory in April of 1861 and moved to Confederate ordnance facilities in Richmond, Virginia. This carbine has the distinctive "humpback" lock made from forgings and dies, taken from Harpers Ferry Armory, which were originally patterned for locks intended for use with the Maynard tape priming system on the U.S. Model 1855 rifled musket. Richmond Armory had no use for the priming device, so to speed up production they merely used the old dies. The lock is dated "1863" at the tail and marked "C.S./RICHMOND,VA." towards the front. The left quarter barrel flat is correctly marked with the "V/P/eagle head" proofs (faint/partial). The carbine was originally finished armory bright with a casehardened lock. Pinched blade iron front sight and folding leaf rear sight (broken/absent part of the leaf). The carbine is mounted in a full length straight grip stock with the correct tulip head iron ramrod, brass forend cap, and brass carbine buttplate. Absent rear sling swivel with an empty hole in the bottom of the buttstock.

Fair with scattered brown patina, general overall wear consistent of Confederate use, marring of the rear sight retainer, mild flash pitting at the breech with applied cold blue finish, and defined lock markings. Stock is also fair as lightly sanded and re-oiled with scattered scratches, dents, chips, an absent chipped section to the right of the barrel tang, cracks on either side of the lock, and a crack ahead of the rear lock screw. Front barrel band is a professionally made modern replacement. Brass forend cap exhibits a dark aged patina. Mechanically fine. Absent/broken part of the rear sight leaf and absent rear sling swivel as mentioned above.