First Type Merrill Carbine / SOLD
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 27th 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