First Type Merrill Carbine / SOLD

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SKU: RIF 225 Category:

Description

First Type Merrill Carbine – Inventory Number: RIF 225 / SOLD This is a considerably nice field-used example from the Civil War. The   Merrill carbine   was a   breechloader   firearm   designed by   Baltimore gunsmith   and   inventor   James H. Merrill. It was one of several firearms either manufactured or altered by Merrill in fulfillment of contracts with the   Union   government during the U.S.   Civil War.   It is a single-shot percussion breechloader used mainly by Union cavalry units, using .54 caliber   Minie balls   with   paper cartridges loaded by lifting the top of the breech lever; the purpose of the plunger was to push the paper cartridge into the barrel chamber acting to prevent gas from escaping from the breech. The First Types are 37 3/8 inches long and the barrels are 22 1/8 inches and round with one barrel band, and were furnished with butt plate, trigger guard, single barrel band, and patch box made of brass. The Second Type was produced without the patch box and had the breech lever secured with a rounded, button type latch. This gun is all original and unmodified.   Known cavalry regiments where the carbines were issued are: New York 1st,   5th, and   18th, Pennsylvania 11th,   17th, and   18th, New Jersey 1st, Indiana 7th, Wisconsin 1st   and   3rd, Kentucky 27 th Delaware 1st. The breech lever mechanism is stamped “14” and also “14” assembly numbers on the inside of the breech mechanism, additionally in the patchbox. Serial number is 6,721.   The top of the breech lever is stamped “J.H. MERRILL BALTO./PAT. JULY 1858”. The lockplate is stamped “J.H. MERRILL BALTO./PAT. JULY 1858/APL. 9 MAY 21-28-61”. The serial number is stamped on the rear of the lockplate. The mechanics are excellent, clean and very tight. The hammer cocks properly and holds at half and full. The barrel shows a gray patina, metal is overall good+. The saddle bar and ring solid to the frame. This is a very nice example of a noted and well-used Civil War cavalry weapon with soldier’s initials in the stock and light initials on the exterior of the patchbox.   Inventory Number: RIF 225 / SOLD

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First Type Merrill Carbine—antique, single-shot, breech-loading rifle featuring a wooden stock, metal barrel, brass hardware, and side hammer mechanism, photographed on a white background. / SOLD.
Close-up of an engraved metal plate on a First Type Merrill Carbine, reading "J.H. Merrill Balto. Pat. July 1858. Ap 3 May 21-28-61.
Close-up of engraved metal text reading "J.H. MERRILL BALTO. PAT. JULY, 1868." on the scratched, worn surface of a First Type Merrill Carbine / SOLD.
Close-up of a First Type Merrill Carbine lock mechanism showing engraved markings, metal hardware, and a brass trigger guard. / SOLD.
Close-up view of the wooden stock, trigger, and lock mechanism of a First Type Merrill Carbine with brass accents.
Side view of a First Type Merrill Carbine with a wooden stock, exposed trigger, and metal components against a white background. / SOLD.
Close-up view of the metal sight on a First Type Merrill Carbine, showing its marked and weathered surface.
Close-up of a worn metal surface on a First Type Merrill Carbine / SOLD, showing the engraved number "2824".
First Type Merrill Carbine / SOLD: Classic single-shot rifle with wooden stock, metal barrel, and trigger guard, shown in side view on a white background.
Close-up of a First Type Merrill Carbine with the stamped number "89" visible on its curved brass surface, photographed against a plain background.

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