CONFEDERATE TARPLEY CARBINE.

CONFEDERATE TARPLEY CARBINE. Cal. 52. SN 90. This is among the rarest and most desirable of Civil War weapons. 23” bbl, 39 1/4” overall length. Brass frame has high copper content as exhibited in patina, iron butt-plate and breechblock. The top of the wrist tang is stamped “J.H. TARPLEY’S/ PAT FEB 14/1863”. Only 20 of these guns are known and eleven are in institutional collections. According to John Murphy in his definitive reference book: Confederate Carbines & Musketoons, Murphy states “On 14 February 1863 Jeremiah Tarpley received a Confederate patent for a breech loading firearm of his own design, and shortly thereafter associated himself with J. & F. Garrett & Company of Greensboro. The Garrett foundry had succeeded the Pioneer Foundry of the same city, and by 1862 the firm was producing sewing machines as well as operating a hat factory and other enterprises. Then, with the onset of war, the foundry turned its efforts and machinery to the production of ordnance, and sometime later E.T. Garrett joined the firm. In addition to breech loading carbines, a number of brass-frame, single-shot pistols are known that are speculated to be products of the Garrett factory, but their origins have not been conclusively established. The state of North Carolina was the first large purchaser of Tarpley carbines, which were manufactured by Tarpley, Garrett & Co. as the firm (or a subsidiary) was calling itself by the spring of 1863. Between 22 April and 21 September of that year the state purchased a total of two hundred Tarpley carbines. However, each month’s purchase was smaller than that of the previous month, and the final delivery amounted to only three guns. Records of the two initial deliveries of Tarpley carbines to state authorities reflect the high number of rejections encountered.” This may be the reason for so few surviving weapons. This is a fine example with excellent mustard colored patina to brass and grey/brown untouched color to steel. Gun is serial numbered 90 on all major parts. CONDITION: Rifling to bbl is very good. Stock is very good and solid, well fit with scattered dings & bruises. Brass frame has scattered dings. End of hammer exhibits about a 1/4” chip. Sights & latch spring are possibly restored. 4-59152 JS7 (100,000-125,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2006

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
	806	$0.00	CONFEDERATE TARPLEY CARBINE. Cal. 52. SN 90. This is among the rarest and most desirable of Civil War weapons. 23” bbl, 39 1/4” overall length. Brass frame has high copper content as exhibited in patina, iron butt-plate and breechblock. The top of the wrist tang is stamped “J.H. TARPLEY’S/ PAT FEB 14/1863”. Only 20 of these guns are known and eleven are in institutional collections. According to John Murphy in his definitive reference book: Confederate Carbines & Musketoons, Murphy states “On 14 February 1863 Jeremiah Tarpley received a Confederate patent for a breech loading firearm of his own design, and shortly thereafter associated himself with J. & F. Garrett & Company of Greensboro. The Garrett foundry had succeeded the Pioneer Foundry of the same city, and by 1862 the firm was producing sewing machines as well as operating a hat factory and other enterprises. Then, with the onset of war, the foundry turned its efforts and machinery to the production of ordnance, and sometime later E.T. Garrett joined the firm. In addition to breech loading carbines, a number of brass-frame, single-shot pistols are known that are speculated to be products of the Garrett factory, but their origins have not been conclusively established. The state of North Carolina was the first large purchaser of Tarpley carbines, which were manufactured by Tarpley, Garrett & Co. as the firm (or a subsidiary) was calling itself by the spring of 1863. Between 22 April and 21 September of that year the state purchased a total of two hundred Tarpley carbines. However, each month’s purchase was smaller than that of the previous month, and the final delivery amounted to only three guns. Records of the two initial deliveries of Tarpley carbines to state authorities reflect the high number of rejections encountered.” This may be the reason for so few surviving weapons. This is a fine example with excellent mustard colored patina to brass and grey/brown untouched color to steel. Gun is serial numbered 90 on all major parts. CONDITION: Rifling to bbl is very good. Stock is very good and solid, well fit with scattered dings & bruises. Brass frame has scattered dings. End of hammer exhibits about a 1/4” chip. Sights & latch spring are possibly restored. 4-59152 JS7 (100,000-125,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2006 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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