Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! Here we have a S.C. Robinson Sharps copy from 1862 – one of the South’s most successful attempts to duplicate Union firepower. Robinson manufactured about 1,900 of these carbines in Richmond before the Confederate government bought his factory in March 1863. Serial number 1889 puts this among the last Robinson-made carbines before the government takeover.
The differences from Hartford Sharps carbines tell the story of wartime manufacturing constraints. Robinson eliminated the pellet primer system, used a fixed V-notch rear sight instead of adjustable, and mounted the sling bar to an iron plate inletted into the stock. The tapered iron front sight and low-profile lock plate were simpler to manufacture than Sharps originals.
What makes this carbine significant is how it represents Confederate industrial capability under impossible conditions. Robinson was working without original blueprints, quality steel, or precision tooling, yet produced a functional breech-loading carbine that gave Confederate cavalry a fighting chance against better-equipped Union forces. The workmanship lacks Hartford refinements, as expected from a startup manufacturer in wartime Richmond. But Robinson’s carbines worked well enough that the Confederate government wanted to expand production. The lightly carved “H” on the stock suggests this saw hard service with a specific soldier.
Most of our POTDs utilize images from our friends at Rock Island Auction Company, the premier firearms auction in the United States. Take some time to browse their current auctions – who knows, maybe you’ll find a piece of history to take home!
“Civil War Confederate S.C. Robinson Sharps Type Carbine.” Rock Island Auction, www.rockislandauction.com/detail/4095/233/civil-war-confederate-sc-robinson-sharps-type-carbine. Accessed 12 Aug. 2025.
Writer | TheFirearmBlog
Writer | AllOutdoor.com Instagram | sfsgunsmith Old soul, certified gunsmith, published author, avid firearm history learner, and appreciator of old and unique guns.
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