Once again, Rock Island Auction is proud to present another “World-Class’ Collectible” to our vast clientele. Given the fact that there are no other engraved Confederate firearms known to exist, this is a fabulously important Civil War era firearm. Research shows it to have been one of five manufactured in March of 1863, and one of only 3 with deluxe, special order treatment applied a month later. These were likely manufactured the same month the factory was sold to the Confederate Ordnance Department and engraved the following month, possibly for the most important senior officers of the Confederacy. It would also not be unlikely that the company wanted to show off their capability to produce high quality rifles in addition to their well-known carbines, of which over 5,000 were produced during the war. In addition to the incredibly beautiful engraving detailed below, the rifle also features a nearly full-length forearm with engraved end cap, two barrel bands, fore-end checkering as well as checkering on the wrist with a patch box on the right side of the butt-stock. It is discussed as one of the highest serial numbered of the Robinson "Sharps Type I Longarms" in "Confederate Arms" by Albaugh and Simmons on pages 88-89 and 258. The authors also noted this rifle was offered for sale in June 1935 by antique dealer Stephen Van Rensselaer who described it in detail. Van Rensselaer indicated he purchased this rifle from a New Hampshire family whose ancestor captured it during the Civil War, also stating that when their ancestor asked his captured Confederate Sharpshooter how he had acquired it, his prisoner responded that he had won it as a shooting prize. Van Rensselaur also indicated that at one time during his career, he had seen one other “incomplete” example of the same type, although to this date, we are unaware that a single other example still exists. This rifle is also featured or discussed in other books on Confederate firearms, most notably pages 637-642 of "Confederate Rifles & Muskets" by Murphy and Madaus where it is discussed in detail and "Confederate Carbines & Musketoons" by the same authors on pages 261-263. The first book dedicates a whole chapter to the rifle and is worthy of examination in full. It is noted as; “courtesy of M. Clifford Young”. One of the most interesting features of this rifle in addition to the outward appearance is the use of extraordinary "micro-rifling” in the barrel with sixteen deep lands and grooves rather than the usual six, affording the user with sniper-type accuracy. The author notes that John H. Lester, Robinson's silent partner, paid Granville Smith of Richmond $300 on April 28, 1863, for engraving five rifles, two rifles in March and another three believed to have been engraved in April. The latter three were to have "extra" engraving, of which this is certainly one. Lester was still the superintendent of the factory after it was sold to the Confederate Ordnance Department. The switch from Robinson to the Confederate government is believed to have taken place between serial numbers 1909 and 1925, and this rifle is therefore estimated to have been manufactured in March of 1863. The included research binder also includes letters and documents from Murphy and Young about this incredible rifle, publications related to it, and more. The rifle is also featured in the American Society of Arms Collectors article "The Rebel Sharps" by Floyd where it is noted as "The rare 'Van Renssalaer' engraved Confederate Sharps rifle. Full stock 25 inch barrel, patch box; #1642 from the M. Clifford Young collection." In addition to the special rifling, the barrel has a dovetailed blade front sight, a folding notch rear sight graduated for 100, 250, and 500 yards; "S.C. ROBINSON/ARMS MANUFACTORY" ahead of the rear sight, and "RICHMOND VA/1862" behind the rear sight. The lock has "1642" and "S.C. ROBINSON/ARMS MANUFACTORY/RICHMOND VA/1862." The serial number is also repeated on the upper tang. Unlike the usual Robinson Carbines, this rifle has no sling bar nor provisions for a sling on the fore-end or butt. The fore-end cap, action, lever screw, lever, lock plate and hammer, tangs, patch box, and heel of the butt-plate are all beautifully engraved with primarily Germanic scroll engraving with textured vertical line backgrounds. There are also some floral bloom accents, a sun burst pattern around the hammer screw, border designs, and a scene of a reposed fox or other canine with a rabbit in its jaws below a tree on the patch box. The breechblock pin is an excellent museum quality replacement, engraved in-suite to the rest of the rifle. When found by Van Rensellaer, the original pin had been replaced with a crude field replacement, which has been retained and is included with the rifle. Provenance; Union New Hampshire Civil War Veteran, Stephen Van Rensselaer, William Gordon Renwick, M. Clifford Young, Michael E. Simens. There are not enough words to describe how magnificent this rifle is. It should be seen and handled to be fully appreciated.

This rifle is one of the most incredible Confederate firearms in existence and to this date, the only survivor of the just five engraved "Confederate Sharps" known to have been manufactured. Its condition is impressive. Extremely Fine for a Confederate weapon with an absolutely untouched, smooth and dark aged patina overall, with only mild oxidation and slightest roughness, very sharp engraving, legible markings and minimum overall wear. The wood is fine and retains most of its original glossy varnish as well as crisp checkering with some bruising and scrapes, minor edge wear, a small chip and hairline at the rear of the forearm and only minor scratches and dings. Mechanically excellent. There are no records or known examples of any other engraved Confederate Arms. There was such a tremendous shortage of weapons and manpower that the Confederacy struggled to get sufficient arms into the field let alone produce for special purposes. This rifle certainly would have been an excellent presentation piece to a Confederate sharpshooter, officer, or political figure and is of very high quality. A once in a lifetime opportunity to own a marvelous Confederate Collectible. The best and the rarest, simply spectacular!