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Scarce Merrill Type I Officer's Model Breech Loading Carbine

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:2,750.00 USD Estimated At:5,500.00 - 8,500.00 USD
Scarce Merrill Type I Officer's Model Breech Loading Carbine
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Scarce Merrill Type I Officer's Model Breech Loading Carbine

This type I single shot breech loading carbine was manufactured by J.H. Merrill of Baltimore, Maryland, circa 1862. The carbine is a high grade version or Officer's Model manufactured for commercial sale that features sliver plating on the barrel band, trigger guard, patch box and buttplate. It also has well executed open scroll engraving on the top of the breechblock, front and rear edges of the lock plate, hammer, sling bar mounts, trigger guard, patch box and buttplate. The carbine has a round barrel with iron front sight blade and two-leaf folding rear sight. The breechblock has the early knurled latch. A carbine sling bar and ring is attached to the left stock flat. The black walnut stock has the small patch box found on type I carbines. The lock plate is roll stamped "J.H. MERRILL BALTO/PAT.JULY, 1858/APL 9 MAY 21-28-31" in three lines in front of the hammer. The serial number "2840" is stamped vertically on the lock plate behind the hammer and on the top of the breechblock. The top of the breechblock is stamped "J.H. MERRILL BALTO/PAT.JULY 1858". The Ordnance Department purchased nearly 15,000 Merrill Carbines during the Civil War. Commercial production carbines like this example are very scarce.

Manufucture: Merrill James H
Model: 1st Model
BBL: 22 inch round
Stock: walnut
Guage: 54 percussion
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 2840

Very good. The carbine shows minor wear and is original condition. The unplated components have a mottled gray-brown patina with patches of age discoloration. The silver plated components retain 60% of the original finish. The screw heads are battered. Markings are light. There is flash pitting on the breechblock and hammer. The engraving is faint on the hammer and other components that receive handling wear. The stock is good overall showing a long hairline crack with a sliver of wood missing near the lock plate with moderate handling wear and rounded edges surrounding the lock plate and left flat. This is a solid example of a scarce Merrill Carbine variation.