Lot 151

Civil War Confederate Morse Third Type Centerfire Carbine

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Civil War Confederate Morse Third Type Centerfire Carbine

Estimate: $8,500 - $13,000

Starting Bid: $7,500

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 21, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Rare and Desirable Civil War Confederate Morse Third Type Breech Loading Centerfire Carbine The State Military Works in Greenville, South Carolina, manufactured approximately 1,000 total of these brass frame centerfire Morse carbines in three different types during the Civil War per page 653 of "Flayderman's Guide, 9th Edition". There are far less surviving today. This example is a third type, with the action locked by a latch which engages the rounded iron top section of the breech block. George W. Morse invented and patented this advanced breech loading system as well as the cased centerfire cartridge it uses which is considered to be one of the earliest of its kind and a precursor to modern day centerfire cartridges. Of interesting note, 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 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 breech block upward. It correctly lacks maker markings. The serial number "985" is marked on both the bottom of the frame and interior of the breech cover. The barrel has a fixed blade front sight and notch rear sight. Mounted in a smooth butternut forearm and straight grip stock. Relevant information on these 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.

Manufacturer: Morse

Model: Carbine

BBL: 20 inch round

Stock: butternut

Gauge: 50 Centerfire

Finish: brass/bright

Serial Number985

Class: Antique

  • Condition: Good and exhibiting wear common for a Confederate issued shoulder arm, with brown patina on the iron, pitting, bright and golden aged patina on the brass with a few casting flaws/divots on the left side of the receiver, replacement cleaning rod, and legible markings. The wood is also good as refinished, with some material and the end cap absent from the forearm and characteristic scars. Mechanically needs works as the full cock notch does not engage. Surviving examples of these rare Confederate Morse carbines are seldom encountered in any condition today!

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000