This original, breech-loading carbine is one of approximately 14,500 weapons produced by H. Merrill of Baltimore, MD. This cavalry weapon is a wartime example of the First Type Merrill carbine in .54 caliber. Stamped with a “Z”, this carbine was captured and reused by Confederate cavalry.

Carbine exhibits the brass trigger guard, brass butt plate, single brass barrel band, and brass patch box. Screw for barrel band is missing. Specimen has a 22” long round barrel with dark brown color. Bore is clean and has good rifling. There is a repaired 2 ½” crack in the barrel located about 4” from the muzzle.

Piece was loaded by pulling back on the flat, cross-hatched tabs, then lifting and pulling back the plunger latch on the top of the receiver, and inserting the cartridge. Hammer/trigger mechanics are good. Top flat of the breech lever is clearly marked with “J.H. MERRILL BALTO. / PAT. JULY 1858” while its base is marked with serial #4791. Atop the barrel is the flip-up leaf style rear sight with the “V” cuts. The smallest leaf is broken off. Marked on the iron lockplate forward of the hammer is the three-line address of “J.H. MERRILL BALTO. / PAT. JULY 1858 / APL. 9 MAY 21-28-61.” Serial number 6894 (different from breech lever) is stamped behind the hammer.

Carbine features a dark walnut stock with no cartouches. Left side is fitted with an iron sling bar and sling ring. All brass furniture is a mellow yellow. The brass trigger guard and patch box have initials “PK” scratched on. A name starting with “K” is partially visible on left side of shoulder stock.

Walnut stock is in good shape but has a moderate number of dings as is typical from age and use.

This is a nice example of one of these guns that was captured or collected by CS Ordnance teams or civilians and placed into the Confederate cleaning and repair (“C&R”) system for reissue to Confederate troops. Some 200,000 firearms, along with perhaps another 50,000 turned in by CS units, mostly in the eastern theatre, are estimated to have gone through the process at Danville, Staunton, Lynchburg, and Richmond. Repairs probably included the addition of the different numbered lock plate, the barrel repair, and part of the plunger assembly. The “Z” is believed to stand for Louis Zimmer who oversaw repair work at Richmond. In any case, the number and variety of guns bearing the mark point to someone working at the Richmond Arsenal/Artillery Workshop.

See Steve Knott’s new “Captured & Collected” book for the complete Confederate “captured, repaired, and reissued” weapons story.    [jet]

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.

THANK YOU!