Possible Confederate used British Pattern 1856 Cavalry Carbine. Overall length is 37”. The 21 5/16” round .577 caliber smoothbore barrel has a fair bore. The barrel has a Birmingham proof with “403” forward of that. The barrel is bright with overall brown staining. The rear sight is a block sight similar to the pattern 1859 sight. The lock and hammer are bright with brown staining. Most of the lock marks have been removed. A partial “VR” is visible at the tail and a broad arrow/ “I” is forward. To the rear of that is a symbol that is indistinct. The brass furniture is very good. The stock is good with sharp edges, light use wear, and a repairable crack on the left flat above the lock screw forward to the barrel. The sling ring and bar have been moved. The captured ramrod is present. The stock is marked 44 on the left butt and 70 the rear of the barrel tang. On the right butt near the butt plate is marked “51 Ala. Cav.” We cannot verify the authenticity of these markings. The 51st Alabama Cavalry Regiment, Partisan Rangers, had an illustrious Civil War history. The standard catalog of military firearms (7th Edition), states that more than 6,000 pattern 1856 carbine were imported by the Confederate government. Further research on this carbine may prove to be beneficial. It would certainly be a good fit for a Civil Was carbine collection.