Beschreibung:

.54 caliber. 22.125" round barrel. SN: 3476. Bright finish, color casehardened lock and hammer, brass furniture, walnut stock. Single shot breechloading percussion carbine. Lock marked in three horizontal lines J.H. MERRILL BALTO / PAT. JULY 1858 / APR. 9 MAY 21-28-61 forward of the hammer and vertically in a single line at the tail with the serial number. Breech lever marked J.H. MERRILL BALTO / PAT. JULY 1858 in two lines on the top along with the serial number 3476 and is stamped with the assembly mark O 34 on the interior. No cartouche is visible. Numerous variations of Merrill carbine front and rear sights have been noted by students of the arms, as well as variations in patchboxes and other small parts. Carbine retains the original multi-leaf rear sight whose base doubles as the catch for the breech lever and retains the original rounded iron blade front sight. Barrel secured by a single round brass, spring retained barrel band. Retains the brass patchbox with a spare cone (nipple) inside and the sling bar and ring on the reverse. A total of 14,495 Merrill carbines of both variants were produced with nearly all being purchased with nearly all of them acquired by the US Government for Civil War service. This carbine is pictured in the book Merrill Single-Shot Breech-Loading Percussion Carbines From The Collection of William D Moore Jr. as figures 9 and 9A and referenced in the text. Provenance:ex-Bill Moore Collection. Pictured in "Merrill Single-Shot Breech-Loading Percussion Carbines From The Collection of William D Moore Jr." Condition: Very good to fine. Barrel with a medium gray patina showing scattered surface oxidation and discoloration. Metal mostly smooth with clear markings. Lock with traces of case colors present. Mechanically functional, very good bore with strong rifling showing scattered light to moderate pitting. Brass furniture with an attractive rich golden patina. Stock crisp with some scattered minor bumps, dings and light surface mars.