Confederate Arms Factory
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
This marker is located near the site of a historic munitions factory that produced small arms for the Confederate army between 1863 and 1864. During that time, the majority of the estimated four hundred breech-loading carbines produced at this location were utilized by Confederate soldiers who were recruited locally and served in units throughout North Carolina. However, a few of the weapons were also sold commercially. Local arms producer Jere H. Tarpley received the patent for his carbine from Confederate officials on February 14, 1863.
Images
Confederate Arms Factory Marker.
Tarpley Breech-loading Carbine
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
After being approved for the patent he joined J & F Garrett & Co. to manufacture the carbines. After obtaining a patent from C.S.A he joined J. &F. Garrett & Co. to produce the breech-loading carbine. Mainly supplying state units some were sold commercially, not many due to the factory only constructing a few hundred. The carbine was viewed as hard to service making it not very popular outside of the state.
The carbine's dimensions are 8.5" H x 40" W x 2.25" D. Ammunition for this weapon included a .52 caliber round. The barrel was constructed out of unfinished brass and the stock was made out of wood. A major flaw with the carbine was the gas seal. Unable to prevent the gas from escaping. Every time the carbine was fired it created a bigger separation between the barrel and the breech-block.
Marker Inscription - Confederate Arms Factory - The Tarpley breech-loading carbine was manufactured by Tarpley, Carrett & Co. at the site of the old Pioneer Foundry, located 300 yards east. Jere A. Tarpley received a patent from the Confederate Government for the carbine of February 14, 1863. In partnership with J & F Garrett, he produced carbines for the state of North Carolina and the Confederate States of America. It is believed over 400 carbines were produced during 1863 and 1864. - Erected January 19, 1988 by Col. John Sloan Camp, 1290 Sons of Confederate Veterans.
The carbine's dimensions are 8.5" H x 40" W x 2.25" D. Ammunition for this weapon included a .52 caliber round. The barrel was constructed out of unfinished brass and the stock was made out of wood. A major flaw with the carbine was the gas seal. Unable to prevent the gas from escaping. Every time the carbine was fired it created a bigger separation between the barrel and the breech-block.
Marker Inscription - Confederate Arms Factory - The Tarpley breech-loading carbine was manufactured by Tarpley, Carrett & Co. at the site of the old Pioneer Foundry, located 300 yards east. Jere A. Tarpley received a patent from the Confederate Government for the carbine of February 14, 1863. In partnership with J & F Garrett, he produced carbines for the state of North Carolina and the Confederate States of America. It is believed over 400 carbines were produced during 1863 and 1864. - Erected January 19, 1988 by Col. John Sloan Camp, 1290 Sons of Confederate Veterans.
Sources
"Confederate Manufactures." Confederate Manufactures. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Aug. 2016. http://www.civilwarartillery.com/Confederate_manufactures.htm
"The Price of Freedom: Tarpley Breech-loading Carbine." The Price of Freedom: Tarpley Breech-loading Carbine. Smithsonian, n.d. Web. 10 Aug. 2016. http://amhistory.si.edu/militaryhistory/collection/object.asp?ID=116