William H. and George W. Miller designed and patented the Miller conversion system. The Meridian Manufacturing Company altered 2,000 Model-1861 muskets, mostly Parker’s Snow & Co., between 1865 to 1867. The alteration allowed the new breech to swing upward for loading a single rimfire cartridge. These conversions were chambered for the newly adopted .58 caliber rimfire cartridge.

This example was altered from an 1864 dated Parkers’ Snow & Co. Model-1861 rifle musket. The barrel is 39 inches. All original (m-1861) iron parts are clean and in excellent condition. Butt plate is marked “U.S”. Lock plate marked “PARKERS’ SNOW & CO. / MERIDEN, CONN.” with an eagle over “U.S.” and dated 1864. Hammer was altered to have a flat striking surface. Original two-leaf rear sight remains. Three barrel bands, nose cap, band springs, trigger guard, and sling swivels are all present and original. Model 1861 “swelled” ramrod is present and was modified by removing the threads on the end.  Bore is bright with good rifling.  Walnut stock has beautiful color and original finish. There are minor dings and dents and scratches from age and storage. No cracks. Minor, old, chips along the edges of the ramrod channel. Number “26” stamped into shoulder stock in front of butt plate tang. A channel has been carved out of the stock at the breech to allow loading of the new metallic cartridges. The Miller breech pieces are clean and blued. Markings on the top of the breech piece read, “W. H. & G. W. MILLER / PATENT MAY 23 1865 / MERIDEN MAN’F’G. CO. / MERIDEN CONN.”  The mechanical function is excellent and is complete with spring and ejector.

Only about 2000 of these were converted by the Meriden Manufacturing Company. Records indicate fifty were issued to the Maryland Militia and that Schuyler, Hartley, & Graham purchased 45 from the New York Militia Arsenal.

A scarce alteration in excellent condition.   [jet]

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.

THANK YOU!