As early as the spring of 1861, the Confederate government sent agents to Great Britain to acquire arms and accoutrements. During the course of the war as many as three hundred thousand long arms were imported from Great Britain. Unfortunately, most of these arms cannot be distinguished from their Yankee imported brethren, but some, like the cavalry carbine shown here can be positively identified as Confederate imports by their inspector marks.

Most of the arms imported from Great Britain were the pattern 1853 Rifle Musket, but a small percentage were the rarer and more desirable pattern 1856 cavalry carbine, like the one shown here. The carbine shown below is the British Enfield Cavalry Carbine, with two, Confederate inspector stamps in the comb of the stock.

This well made carbine has a 21” barrel with the standard .577” bore with a blued barrel and barrel bands, color case hardened lock and brass furniture. The ramrod is a captive design mounted to stud under the barrel near the muzzle, with a pair of swiveling arms. The assembly is completely original and in excellent condition. The rear sight is the original fixed 100-yard leaf with two additional folding leaves for 200 and 300 yards, respectively. The carbine is thirty seven inches in overall length. The left stock face includes the original iron sling bar and ring.

The important thing about this from the Confederate Cavalry collector’s point of view is the Anchor over and S cartouche stamped into the top of this carbine’s comb. The Anchor S is a Confederate viewers mark, similar in use to the JS Anchor. This one is clear and complete.

The carbine shown here is in very, very good condition, its only flaws are that someone cleaned around the breech to make the markings more visible and one of the barrel bands has been replaced with an original band. The metal is beautiful and still retains most of its original finish which has now turned a very attractive plum patina, except where previously noted. All of the markings are crisp and clear. It retains its nipple protector and chain. The bore is in excellent condition. The mechanics work perfectly.

This is a great example of a hard to find carbine.

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