An extremely rare, extremely fine Jenks-Merrill single-shot, breech-loading, altered carbine, one of only a few hundred known. In the 1840s, N. P. Ames Company of Springfield, Massachusetts produced the Jenks breechloading carbine also known as the ‘Mule Ear’.  In the late 1850s, Baltimore arms maker James H. Merrill arranged for three hundred original Jenks carbines to be sent to him for alteration to test the practicality of a modified breechloading system he had designed and patented. His patented system sought to alter the Jenks carbines for the use of the Merrill-type combustible cartridges instead of the loose powder and ball. 

This rifled, .54 caliber carbine was loaded by pulling back the ball-type plunger on the Merrill-patented breechloading lever, then lifting and pulling up the lever and inserting the cartridge. The original loading chamber access on the Jenks was plugged and the combustible cartridge loaded at the rear of the breech. Breech action is the same as on the Merrill carbines but the altered lockplate and the conventional side hammer system was new. What appear to be assembly numbers are stamped on the underside of the breech lever. Equipped with a 24¼” long barrel, a three-leaf folding rear sight and integrated front blade sight-barrel band, the carbine exhibits all brass mountings including the buttplate, triggerguard, and two barrel bands as found on the original Jenks carbines.  

Lockplate is thinly stamped with “N. P. AMES / SPRINGFIELD / MASS.”.  Top of the breech lever clearly marked “J. H. MERRILL  BALTO. / PAT. JULY 1858.”  Top of the barrel flat at breech thinly stamped with “W. JENKS / USN / RC / P / 1845”. Carbine has no patchbox, all aged-blued iron parts, and a very fine, untouched, dark walnut, one-piece, straight grip stock. No cartouche, no sling bar and no sling ring.  All brass exhibits a fine, mellow patina and the iron has most of its original blue remaining. Barrel bore is minty bright with sharp six-groove rifling.

This remarkable condition Jenks-Merrill factory-altered carbine is an extremely rare collectible arm in extremely fine condition. Certain to highlight any military display or collection.

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