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Extremely Rare Civil War Morse Confederate Carbine

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:2,250.00 USD Estimated At:4,500.00 - 7,000.00 USD
Extremely Rare Civil War Morse Confederate Carbine
The Morse carbine was made by the State Military Works in Greenville, South Carolina with a total production of only approximately 1,000. This is an unusual breechloader invented by George W. Morse and was manufactured on machinery which the Confederates captured from the Harpers Ferry Armory. The carbine is chambered in 50 caliber and it is loaded by raising the breechblock upward. The barrel is iron and the frame and mountings are brass. Only a few late models had any markings other than the serial number which is marked on this particular carbine on the bottom of the frame directly ahead of the trigger guard. The carbine is mounted with a butternut stock and forearm with a brass forend cap and brass buttplate. The center of the buttplate should have a small friction fitted accessory that removes and attaches to the ramrod, however it and the ramrod are absent. This carbine appears to be a Second Type with the action that locks by a latch that engages a bolt head mounted on the breechblock. The barrel is fitted with a dovetailed brass blade front and a fixed iron rear sights. Production of these carbines was mainly for the South Carolina Militia and some were used to some extent by other Confederate forces.
BBL: 20 inch round
Stock: butternut
Gauge: 50
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 313


Very good, incomplete. In addition to the above mentioned absent parts, the right side plate, hammer assemble and forward frame screw are also absent. The barrel has a smooth mottled gray patina with some minor pitting. The brass components have a dark, untouched, natural aged patina. There are a number dents in the receiver on the sides and upper front. With the exception of a couple of moderate dents and chips along the ramrod cutout, the wood is very fine with a few minor dents and dings. The breechblock doesn't lock down tightly, but functions properly. A rare addition to any Confederate arms collection.