GUN FALL 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/4/2016
OUTSTANDING AND RARE FACTORY ENGRAVED FIRST MODEL MERRILL OFFICER'S CARBINE.MERRILLOFFICERS MODEL 185873154Cal. 54. Often known as officer models, the handful of engraved first model Merrill carbines are quite rare and all very different. This particular example is totally iron mounted with rare variant solid thick shotgun style buttplate with patchbox. Lock, hammer, bbl band, trigger guard, breech, sling bar mounts, buttplate and patchbox are all florally engraved. Stock is deluxe burl and high polished with oil finish. Otherwise, this carbine is standard configuration with patent markings on breech and lock with 21-1/2" browned bbl. This gun is in remarkable condition retaining most of its orig finish, and the highlight of Bill Moore's spectacular collection of Merrill carbines and is pictured and described in the accompanying privately printed, 48-pg book on his collection of Merrill's. CONDITION: Very fine overall. Bbl retains most of its orig bright brown finish with scattered scratches, scuffs and cosmetic blemishes with pitting at breech. The iron overall is smooth and silver/gray with crisp markings and engraving retaining much of its orig polished surface. Stock is sound and solid with sharp edges with beautiful red color, there is a repaired hairline crack on right side of wrist that is difficult to see. Mechanically gun has crisp function with bright, shiny bore. 51033-31 JS (12,000-15,000)