Merrill Breechloading Rifle

American Civil War

.54 caliber. 33" round barrel secured by two pin-retained brass barrel bands. S/N 7247. Blued barrel, color casehardened lock, breech and hammer, brass furniture, smooth straight-gripped walnut stock. Breechloading percussion rifle produced on JH Merrill's patented system. Lock marked J.H. MERRILL BALTO/PAT. JULY 1858/APL. 9 MAY 21-28-61 in three lines under the bolster and with the serial number vertically at the tail. Top of breech lever marked in two lines J.H. MERRILL BALTO/PAT. JULY 1858 and with the matching serial number found on the lock. Counterpane with a clear script ZB cartouche in an oval, the mark of arsenal sub-inspector Zadock Butt. Retains correct 1858 pattern rear sight, correct pattern front sight blade, correct saber bayonet lug and correct full-length button head cleaning rod with threads on the end for the brass cleaning jag that was issued with these guns. In the patchbox the correct original brass cleaning jag is present, as well as an original spare nipple. Only about 800 of these rare breechloading percussion rifles were produced by the Merrill company and acquired by the US government during the Civil War period. The largest single issue of these arms was to the 21st Indiana Infantry, with smaller numbers issued to the 7th & 10th Michigan Infantry, 4th Arkansas Infantry, and the 1st Massachusetts Infantry. A rare Civil War contract breechloading rifle not often found for sale. An original Merrill Rifle bayonet is offered in this sale as well as the next lot. {ANTIQUE}

From the Lifetime Collection of Robert G. Paulsen

This lot is located in Cincinnati.