CONFEDERATE TARPLEY CARBINE.

CONFEDERATE TARPLEY CARBINE. SN 24. Cal. 52. This gun has an overall length of 39-1/2”. Bbl is 23” long and has 7 lands and grooves, which conforms to other known examples. Frame is brass, having a distinctive red tint, indicating the high copper content that is so characteristic to many Confederate manufactured arms. Frame tang is marked in 3 lines “J. H. TARPLEY’S / PAT. FEB. 14. / 1863”. Iron breechblock is hinged to the frame, being retained by a flat latch spring. Jeremiah Tarpley received a Confederate patent for his own design early in 1863. The state of North Carolina had an order for 200 guns between April and September of 1863. About half of Tarpleys produced and delivered to the state of North Carolina were rejected. The survival of these guns is rare—only 20 guns, of which less than half are in private hands. Eleven guns are in institutions, one being in the Army Museum in Madrid, Spain. Of the known 20 guns, 19 have an integral projecting step to help the latch spring hold breechblock in place; however, this gun, SN 24, being the lowest SN known, lacks this integral step. This is the only surviving specimen without this extra device to help maintain the breech closure. This gun is illustrated in Murphy & Madaus’ monumental work, Confederate Carbines and Musketoons. This carbine is among the finest Tarpley carbines known and appears orig and authentic in all regards. Since there are only two minor variations in Tarpleys, one lacking the projecting step for the spring latch, and the other with the projecting step, if you want a complete collection of Tarpleys of both types, this is your only chance to own both, as this is the only known low serial numbered Tarpley which has this feature. There is a battlefield excavated frame only of SN 16 with this same feature, but it is frame only. This is undoubtedly the finest Tarpley carbine to ever be offered at public auction, and since it’s one of the top few, it is probably the finest Tarpley that will ever be sold. Mr. Michel’s Notes State: “Jeremiah H. Tarpley, after a brief enlistment in the North Carolina “Guilford Grays,” received a patent for his breechloading system on February 14, 1863. He joined the firm of J & F Garrett Company, a Greensboro, North Carolina foundry. The State of North Carolina was the first major purchaser of a carbine using his system, and thereafter, Tarpley, Garrett & Co. offered these arms for public sale in newspaper advertisements and in broadsides. This example, serial number 24, is one of the lowest serial numbers known. In overall excellent condition, it represents one of the rarest of all Confederate carbines. Provenance: Illustrated and described and ”Confederate Carbines and Musketoons” by John Murphy and Howard Madaus, p. 216.” CONDITION: Iron surfaces are gray/brown with scattered pitting. Brass surfaces have good patina. Bore is very good. Stock is very good with scattered nicks and scratches. There are 2 repaired chips to stock where frame tang and frame come together. Latch and trigger guard are professionally restored. 4-313454-31469 JS243 (75,000-125,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2007

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1003	$80,500.00	CONFEDERATE TARPLEY CARBINE. SN 24. Cal. 52. This gun has an overall length of 39-1/2”. Bbl is 23” long and has 7 lands and grooves, which conforms to other known examples. Frame is brass, having a distinctive red tint, indicating the high copper content that is so characteristic to many Confederate manufactured arms. Frame tang is marked in 3 lines “J. H. TARPLEY’S / PAT. FEB. 14. / 1863”. Iron breechblock is hinged to the frame, being retained by a flat latch spring. Jeremiah Tarpley received a Confederate patent for his own design early in 1863. The state of North Carolina had an order for 200 guns between April and September of 1863. About half of Tarpleys produced and delivered to the state of North Carolina were rejected. The survival of these guns is rare—only 20 guns, of which less than half are in private hands. Eleven guns are in institutions, one being in the Army Museum in Madrid, Spain. Of the known 20 guns, 19 have an integral projecting step to help the latch spring hold breechblock in place; however, this gun, SN 24, being the lowest SN known, lacks this integral step. This is the only surviving specimen without this extra device to help maintain the breech closure. This gun is illustrated in Murphy & Madaus’ monumental work, Confederate Carbines and Musketoons. This carbine is among the finest Tarpley carbines known and appears orig and authentic in all regards. Since there are only two minor variations in Tarpleys, one lacking the projecting step for the spring latch, and the other with the projecting step, if you want a complete collection of Tarpleys of both types, this is your only chance to own both, as this is the only known low serial numbered Tarpley which has this feature. There is a battlefield excavated frame only of SN 16 with this same feature, but it is frame only. This is undoubtedly the finest Tarpley carbine to ever be offered at public auction, and since it’s one of the top few, it is probably the finest Tarpley that will ever be sold. Mr. Michel’s Notes State: “Jeremiah H. Tarpley, after a brief enlistment in the North Carolina “Guilford Grays,” received a patent for his breechloading system on February 14, 1863. He joined the firm of J & F Garrett Company, a Greensboro, North Carolina foundry. The State of North Carolina was the first major purchaser of a carbine using his system, and thereafter, Tarpley, Garrett & Co. offered these arms for public sale in newspaper advertisements and in broadsides. This example, serial number 24, is one of the lowest serial numbers known. In overall excellent condition, it represents one of the rarest of all Confederate carbines. Provenance: Illustrated and described and ”Confederate Carbines and Musketoons” by John Murphy and Howard Madaus, p. 216.” CONDITION: Iron surfaces are gray/brown with scattered pitting. Brass surfaces have good patina. Bore is very good. Stock is very good with scattered nicks and scratches. There are 2 repaired chips to stock where frame tang and frame come together. Latch and trigger guard are professionally restored. 4-313454-31469 JS243 (75,000-125,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2007 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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