May 28 & 29, 2020 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/28/2020
Manufactured by J.H. Merrill in Baltimore Maryland with approximately 14,500 produced. These carbines were issued to the following Union cavalry regiments during the American Civil War: New York 1st., 5th., & 18th. Pennsylvania, 11th., 17th., & 18th. New Jersey, 1st. Indiana, 7th. Wisconsin, 1st. & 3rd. Kentucky 27th. and Delaware 1st. Loaded by lifting and pulling back the breech lever. .54 caliber percussion. 22 - 1/8" round barrel with tall blade front sight and fold down two leaf rear barrel sight. Finished bright with brass barrel band and trigger guard. Case hardened lockplate, hammer, breech, and breech lever. One piece straight grain walnut stock and forearm. Saddle ring with bar attached to left side of the stock. This example has all the characteristics of a 2nd model, with no patch box and the lockplate not mounted flush. However the lockplate has first model markings. Possibly a transition gun spanning 1st-2nd model production? Lockplate is marked three lines; "J.H. MERRILL BALTO./PAT. JULY 1858/APL. 9. MAY 21-28-61" with serial number "12886" stamped vertically on lockplate rear of hammer. CONDITION: Fine overall. All metal parts minus rear barrel sight have been polished bright. Wood has been sanded. Missing saddle ring. Bore is excellent, bright and clean. Action is tight and crisp. -MKS-
CORRECTION: Serial number updated. Upon further review, the serial number is 12986, not 12886.
Caliber/Bore
.54 Percussion