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TRANSITIONAL MODEL MERRILL CARBINE

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This is a well-used example of a Merrill cavalry carbine with brass butt plate, patch box, trigger guard, and barrel band. Likely a transitional piece as it has all the features of the 1^st Model with the receiver latch style of the 2^nd Model.

James Merrill, of Baltimore, had been involved in the small arms business since the 1840s and supplied carbines to the U.S. government as part of Merrill, Latrobe, and Thomas in the 1850s. He was also involved in altering Jenks carbines, M1841 rifles, and M1842 muskets to his unique breechloading system. The government purchased 20 Merrill carbines through an agent in June 1861 and an initial government order for 600 was made in November. The government ended up purchasing 14,255 Merrill carbines and 770 rifles during the war. Most of the carbines - over 10,000 - were this First Model, with the Second Model coming in during July 1864 and accounting for the remainder.

The 20” long round barrel is smooth with semi-bright surface with darker spotting overall. The bore is dark with light pitting throughout with good rifling. The front blade sight and the rear leaf sight remain in place. The Merrill pattern breech lever is stamped, “J.H. MERRILL BALTO. / PAT. JULY 1858” amid some wear and light dings. Serial number “11012” stamped farther back near the hinge. This lever is the one 2^nd Model part on this otherwise 1^st Model carbine. This lever features the two round “buttons” on the sides that, when pulled back, unlocks the lever. In operation, the lever is pulled up and to the rear, drawing back a plunger where a cartridge was to be inserted. Upon closing the lever, the cartridge is pushed into place, and the breech snapped closed.

The lock plate, hammer, and breech lever are a darker gray color. All lock plate markings are legible, “J.H. MERRILL BALTO. / PAT. JULY 1858 / APL. 9 MAY 21-28-61” forward of the hammer and “11012” behind the hammer. Action is crisp and strong.

All brass is in good condition with all pieces wearing a fine, mellow patina.

All wood has a nice, dark red-brown tone and expected wear in the form of handling marks and light dings. Slightly heavier wear and minor wood loss is noted on the stock tip ahead of the barrel band. No cartouche is visible amid some wear and dings in the sling swivel bar area.

A nice example of a transitional Merrill carbine used during the Civil War.  [cm/jet] [ph:L]

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.

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