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ORIGINAL CIVIL WAR MERRILL CARBINE (FIRST TYPE)
Guns International #: 102634129 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Civil War Carbines - Antique Rifles - Percussion
Seller's Information
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Seller: dksiggs
Company:
Member Since: 5/1/15
First Name: Darrell
Last Name: Seigler
State: Illinois
Zip: 61350
Country: United States
Phone: (815) 830-1162
Fax:
Number of Active Listings: 8
Total Number of Listings: 24
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Check, Money Order
Description:
This is a First Type Merrill Carbine, evidencing considerable field use during 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 pupose 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 "86" and "A86" assembly numbers on the inside of the breech mechanism. Serial number is 2825, fairly early in production 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 some of the original finish, with gray patina with scattered spots--metal is overall Good+++. The saddle bar and ring are shown in the photos. There is a tight crack at the wrist (see photo). This is a very nice example of a noted and well-used Civil War cavalry weapon. It has been in my collection since 2002 and is priced to sell.
Price: $1,475.00
Antique: Yes
Rifle Caliber: .54